Theory question 108
Animal Anatomy and Physiology(a) Describe with the aid of a diagram the stomach of a named ruminant.
(b) State three functions of the first compartment of the stomach of a ruminant.
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(a) Named ruminant (e.g. cow, goat, sheep); labelled diagram showing oesophagus, rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum, duodenum. Rumen – largest compartment, stores and ferments feed with microbes; reticulum – honeycomb lining, traps foreign bodies and forms cud; omasum – many leaf-like folds, absorbs water and grinds; abomasum – true glandular stomach, secretes gastric juice
(b) Rumen (any three): stores large quantities of feed; microbial fermentation/digestion of cellulose; production of volatile fatty acids; synthesis of microbial protein and B vitamins; churning/mixing of food; site from which cud is regurgitated
Name the animal and label all four compartments.