1. 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

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

3. 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?

4. 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

5. 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,

6. 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 º C

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

9. More Tripe
Reticular epithelium has a honey-combed appearance.

10. Chewing the Cud

11. 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

12. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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