Q. Horses can also digest cellulose from grasses because _______?
Answer: They have hind gut
Notes: Horses can digest cellulose from grasses because they have a large organ called the cecum. The cecum is located between the esophagus and the small intestine. The cecum contains microorganisms that break down the cellulose and fiber that horses consume. These microorganisms convert the cellulose into nutrients and energy that the horse needs to survive.
Horses are ruminants, a group of mammals that have a specialized digestive system. Their digestive system is made up of four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. After consuming plant material, ruminants regurgitate and re-chew a cud. This allows the animal to further break down and process the cellulose for maximum nutrient absorption.
Humans cannot digest cellulose because they lack the enzyme necessary to digest it. However, herbivores such as cows, koalas, and horses can digest cellulose. These animals retain cellulose in their digestive systems long enough to be degraded by intestinal microorganisms.
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