Question

Small intestine in herbivores is longer than in carnivores because
A. Digestion of cellulose takes a longer time.
B. Digestion juices of herbivores are not so functional
C. Most of the herbivores swallow food
D. None of these

Answer 1

Herbivores are animals who eat grass/green leafy vegetables whereas carnivores are animals that mostly eat meat or the flesh of animals. Cellulose is a polysaccharide. As it has strong glycosidic bonds, its digestion takes a longer time. Animals who consume cellulose in their diet need a longer small intestine to allow complete digestion of cellulose. Carnivores have a shorter intestine, therefore they cannot digest cellulose.

Complete answer:

Option A- Digestion of cellulose takes a longer time.
Digestion of cellulose takes a longer time. It is made up of glycosidic bonds. The enzymes to break these bonds are produced by the ruminant bacteria that live in the gut of the herbivore. Longer small intestine ensures that the food stays for a longer duration which results in proper digestion.

Option B- Digestion juices of herbivores are not so functional
Herbivores are animals that eat plant material. They produce the digestive enzymes to break down the large cellulose molecules in the plant cell walls. Micro-organisms like bacteria, on the other hand, can also break them down.

Option C- Most of the herbivores swallow food
An herbivore is an animal or insect that only eats vegetation, like grasses, fruits, leaves, vegetables, roots, and bulbs. This means they only eat things that need photosynthesis to live. This doesn't involve insects, spiders, fish, and other animals.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Herbivores are those animals that feed on the plants. For example cow, buffalo, goat, etc.
They are anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material (foliage or marine algae) as they typically have mouthparts adapted to rasping or grinding. Most of them have wide flat teeth adapted to grinding grass, tree bark, and other tough plant material.