RICHARD LLOPIS-GARCIA A2 BIOLOGY Adapted by MH MAMMALIAN NUTRITION Part II. Specialization of carnivores and herbivores RICHARD LLOPIS-GARCIA A2 BIOLOGY Adapted by MH

Learning Outcomes 4. Compare the specialization of teeth in herbivores and carnivores 5. Describe the specialized digestive system of ruminants

Skulls and Teeth Quickly look at the herbivore and carnivore skulls . Compare the number, shape, and possible function of each type of tooth What differences can you identify?

50% of organic carbon is contained in cellulose. Many animals lack cellulases Some microorganisms secrete cellulases which allow them to utilize dietary cellulose and other plant wall materials. Some animals have developed specialised digestive systems which include ‘mutalistic microorganisms’ This allows them to access nutrients and cellulose from plant material

Digestive Anatomy in Ruminants The stomach of ruminants has four chambers: Rumen, Reticulum Omasum Abomasum Collectively, these organs occupy almost 3/4ths of the abdominal cavity,

Ruminants The first two chambers : Rumen Reticulum Fermenter packed with microorganisims Thick muscular walls : churn with saliva pH maintained by buffers in the saliva Temp kept between 38-42 º C

A load of tripe The interior surface of the rumen forms numerous papillae that vary in shape and size.

More Tripe Reticular epithelium has a honey-combed appearance.

Chewing the Cud

Ruminants: ‘Chewing the Cud’ Balls of ‘cud’ is regurgitated from rumen to the mouth for rechewing ‘Ruminating’ for hours The partially digested cud and the microorganisms pass into the ‘true stomach’ Omasum Abomasum Digestion continues

Mutualistic Relationship Microbes use glucose from cellulose for their own metabolism This metabolic process produces waste products: CO2 (belching) methane (belching) fatty acids(short chains) absorbed into blood via rumen wall

Sources of Protein Available from plant cells (as cell wall now digested) From cytoplasm of microorganisms Microorganisms convert non- protein nitrogen into proteins

Sources of protein Ammonia is a waste product produced by the microorganisims Absorbed through rumen to Transported to liver via blood Converted to urea : excreted in urine Some urea is transported and secreted to salivary glands Microorganisms can convert non protein nitrogen into protein

Other mutualistic relationships Many termites large numbers of protozoa in their hind gut Protozoa break down cellulose to glucose Protozoa use glucose but produce fatty acids as a waste product

Other mutalistic relationships Rabbits have a branch of large intestine called the Caecum This contains microorganisms and empties into large intestines Absorption of nutrients and microorganisms is inefficient Produce two kinds of faeces