Digestion and Absorption of Major Nutrient

• How do monogastric animals primarily digest and absorb nutrients?


  They digest and absorb nutrients mainly in the small intestine after enzyme breakdown.
• What enzyme is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates in the mouth?

  Amylase
• How are simple sugars absorbed into the bloodstream in monogastric animals?

  Through the walls of the small intestine via villi and microvilli.
• What happens to glucose once it is absorbed into the intestinal cells?

  It is released into the bloodstream and transported to the liver.
• What is the digestion process for proteins in monogastric animals?

  • Proteins are broken down into polypeptides in the stomach by pepsin.
  • Further digestion occurs in the small intestine into amino acids.
  • Amino acids are absorbed through the villi into the bloodstream.
• What is the role of pepsin in protein digestion?

  It breaks down proteins into polypeptides in the stomach.
• How are amino acids absorbed into the bloodstream in monogastric animals?

  Through the walls of the small intestine into capillaries.
• What is the digestion process for fats in monogastric animals?

  • Fats are emulsified by bile in the small intestine.
  • Lipase breaks them down into fatty acids and monoglycerides.
  • Absorbed through the villi and reassembled into triglycerides.
• What is the function of bile in fat digestion?

  It emulsifies fats in the small intestine.
• What happens to fatty acids and monoglycerides after absorption in monogastric animals?

  They are reassembled into triglycerides and transported to tissues.
• Carbohydrates are absorbed as simple sugars.

  Proteins are absorbed as amino acids.

  Fats are absorbed as fatty acids and triglycerides
• What is a characteristic of ruminant animals regarding their stomach structure?

  They have a specialized multi-chambered stomach.
• How do ruminants digest carbohydrates?

  Through microbial fermentation in the rumen.
• What are volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and their significance in ruminants?


  They are the main energy source produced from microbial fermentation.
• What is the digestion process for proteins in ruminant animals?

  • Proteins are broken down into polypeptides in the stomach.
  • Further digestion occurs in the small intestine into amino acids.
  • Amino acids are absorbed into the bloodstream.
• What is the digestion process for fats in ruminant animals?


  • Dietary fats are broken down by rumen microbes into VFAs and glycerol.
  • In the small intestine, bile emulsifies fats.
  • Lipase breaks them down into fatty acids and monoglycerides.
• How are fatty acids absorbed in ruminant animals?

  Through the villi of the small intestine and transported via the lymphatic system.
• What are the differences between herbivores and carnivores in terms of digestion?

  • Herbivores have complex digestive systems for fibrous plant material.
  • Carnivores have simpler digestive tracts for meat-based diets.
  • Herbivores rely on microbial fermentation; carnivores have highly acidic stomachs.
• What is the role of the caecum in non-ruminant herbivores?

  It is involved in hindgut fermentation.
• Why do carnivores have shorter small intestines compared to herbivores?

  Because they do not need extra time to digest complex carbohydrates and fibers.
• What are common digestive issues in animals?

  • Colic in horses
  • Bloat in cows
  • Causes include dietary changes and improper feeding.
• How can understanding digestion help manage an animal's diet?

  • Helps prevent digestive issues.
  • Allows for tailored diets based on species.
  • Improves overall health and nutrient absorption.
• What is digestion?

  It is the process by which food is broken down into smaller components that can be absorbed by the body.
• What is ingestion?

  The act of taking in food through the mouth.
• What is mechanical digestion?

  The physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces.
• What is chemical digestion?

  The breakdown of food by enzymes and other chemicals into nutrients that can be absorbed.
• What are enzymes?


  Biological molecules (proteins) that speed up chemical reactions, including the breakdown of food during digestion.
• What is amylase?


  An enzyme found in saliva and the pancreas that breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars.
• What is protease?


  An enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids.
• What is lipase?


  An enzyme that breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
• What is the process of carbohydrate digestion in monogastric animals?


  • Begins in the mouth with amylase.
  • Continues in the small intestine with pancreatic amylase.
  • Absorbed as simple sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose) through villi.
• What is the digestion process for proteins in monogastric animals?


  • Proteins are broken down into polypeptides in the stomach by pepsin.
  • Further digestion occurs in the small intestine into amino acids.
  • Amino acids are absorbed through the villi into the bloodstream.
• carbs absorbed into bloodstream

  • broken into simple sugars (glucose) and absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the villi in the small intestine.
  • Glucose is transported into the intestinal cells via active transport.
  • Once inside the intestinal cells, glucose is released into the bloodstream via facilitated diffusion.
  • The absorbed glucose is transported to the liver. The liver regulates glucose levels and sends it to various tissues for energy or stores it as glycogen.
• Where does the absorption of water and nutrients take place in animals?

  Large intestine
• What does the liver produce in monogastric animals?

  Bile
• What is the function of the cecum in the digestive system?

  It ferments remaining nutrients
• What type of teeth do herbivores lack?

  Upper incisors
• What is Rumen Degradable Protein?

  Protein digested by microbes in the rumen
• What do microbes in the rumen produce from digested protein?

  Amino acids and ammonia
• What is Undegradable Dietary Protein?

  Protein that microbes cannot break down