Question

Why herbivores can use grass as food but humans cannot?

Answer 1

Herbivores:

1. Herbivores are organisms that predominantly consume plants as their primary food source.
2. Grass-eating animals are referred to as ruminants. They swallow and store grass in the rumen.
3. The grass is partially digested and stored in the form of cud.
4. The grasses contain high amounts of cellulose that cannot be digested by the digestive system.
5. The cud is brought back to the mouth in small amounts to be chewed thoroughly. This process is referred to as rumination.
6. In rumination, bacteria present in the rumen aids in the breakdown of cellulose and is then passed down the digestive canal.
7. Humans cannot digest grass as they lack the microbes that synthesize enzymes involved in cellulose digestion.
8. Additionally, the pH of the rumen ranges from 6 to 7 while the pH of human stomach is around 1-3.