Ruminant Animal Digestive System Quiz

Saliva's most important function is to buffer pH levels in the reticulum and rumen.

Ruminants have premolars and molars that match between upper and lower jaws, allowing them to better use energy from fibrous plant material.

The digestive system of ruminants is designed to ferment feedstuffs to provide precursors for energy for the animal to use.

<p>Understanding the digestive system of ruminant animals helps livestock producers better understand how to care for and feed them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Up to 50 quarts of saliva per day, but this varies depending on the amount of time spent chewing feed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ruminants use their mouth and tongue to harvest forages by wrapping their tongues around the plants and then pulling the forage for consumption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The esophagus functions bidirectionally in ruminants, allowing them to swallow feedstuffs rapidly and to regurgitate their cud for further chewing if necessary.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Saliva containing sodium allows ruminants to efficiently use high potassium, phosphate, bicarbonate, and urea when consuming roughage feedstuffs, including forages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The reticulorumen is home to a population of microorganisms (microbes or 'rumen bugs') that aid in the fermentation of feedstuffs.</p> Signup and view all the answers