alleryStart learning →A cow and a human both eat, but only the cow thrives on grass alone. Why?
AThe cow does not need any protein
BThe cow has no incisor teeth to chew
CThe cow can digest large amounts of cellulose
DThe cow absorbs nutrients in its colon
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. The cow can digest large amounts of cellulose
1. Grass is mostly roughage, and its bulk is cellulose.
2. The ruminant digestive system evolved to digest vast amounts of cellulose.
3. A human has a monogastric system with no such capacity.
4. Missing upper incisors is a real ruminant feature, but it explains chewing, not digestion.
_Source: OpenStax Biology 1e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 34 "Animal Nutrition and the Digestive System", section Ruminants_
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