Why is most plant material so difficult to digest? Describe three ways herbivorous mammals are adapted to digest plants

Answer 1

1. Cellulose: Plant cell walls are made up of a complex carbohydrate called cellulose, which is difficult for most animals to break down. Herbivorous mammals have specialized stomach chambers and enzymes that help break down cellulose into simpler sugars that are easier to digest.

2. Fermentation: Many herbivorous mammals have a large cecum, a pouch at the beginning of the large intestine where bacteria can ferment plant material. These bacteria break down cellulose and other complex carbohydrates into digestible nutrients that can be absorbed by the animal.

3. Slow digestion: Herbivorous mammals have longer digestive tracts compared to carnivorous animals, allowing for a slower and more thorough digestion of plant material. This slower digestion process allows for more time for enzymes and bacteria to break down tough plant cell walls and extract nutrients from the plant material.