Question

Name the type of carbohydrate that can be digested by ruminants but not by a human. Give reason.

Answer 1

Cellulose:

1. The type of glucose polymer that can be digested by ruminants such as cows but not humans is cellulose.
2. Cellulose is a polysaccharide that makes 30% of the plant cell wall. It helps in connecting cells to form tissues and signals the cells to grow and divide. Humans cannot digest cellulose.
3. The ruminants have four-chambered stomachs: the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum.
4. Firstly, the food enters the rumen from the mouth.
5. Here, food is partially digested and then is allowed to move forward to the second chamber.
6. The partially digested food from the second chamber goes back to the mouth.
7. This way the food becomes softer and can be easily chewed by the ruminants.