Chapter 03 Applied Content hapter 3 Post-Lecture Quiz Question 24 5 of 11 Part A

Question

Chapter 03 Applied Content hapter 3 Post-Lecture Quiz Question 24 5 of 11 Part A Generally, animals cannot digest the linkages between the glucose molecules in cellulose. How then do cows get enough nutrients from eating grass? Microorganisms in their digestive tracts hydrolyze the cellulose to glucose. They have to eat a lot of grass. Cows make an enzyme in their saliva that hydrolyzes cellulose. Cows and other herbivores are exceptions and make some cellulose-digesting enzymes in their digestive tracts Submit

Explanation / Answer

Microorganisms in their digestive tracts hydrolyze the ceullose to glucose.

No vertebrates or herbivores can digest cellulose directly. They lack enzymes (cellulase) that digest cellulose. Here in the case of cattles the gut contains symbiotic bacteria which will synthesis enzymes that breaks down cellulose to gain glucose. Along with bacteria other microbes like protozoa and fungi also produce cellulase enzymes in cows gut which helps them digest cellulose and to keep up a complete grass or cellulose based diet. Also such bacterias are present in humans intestine also which helps us digest cellulose.

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