Answer to Question #262954 in Ecology for Vanesa

Question

Discuss the rumen as an example of a complex ecosystem

Answer 1

The complex ecosystem in the rumen of the herbivores (primary & secondary consumers) is associated with combination of bacteria (prokaryotes), fungi (eukaryotes), and protozoans. This is the part where microbial hydrolytic enzymes and bacterial enzymes mutually digests the non-digestible starches (obtained from producers) and fibers via fermentation in ruminants finally maintain whereas other food level such as bacteria & fungi obtain their nutrients in the rumen thus ecological balance maintained in the rumen. Herbivores has longer digestive tract and developed muscular tongue in the middle of saliva. Herbivore developed rumen on the top of their abdominal region for the re-digestion of cellulose fiber food and absorb nutrients. Herbivore: The somatic body possesses a long digestive tract associated long intestine (35 meters in elephant) as they eat majority of cellulose contain complex polysaccharide carbohydrate such as trees, plants. They possess “rumen” with a cavity in which often pulverizes food material to start cellulose digestion. Breaking down cellulose by amylase is a very long enzymatic activity as cellulose with enzymatic reactions associated Gibb’s free energy change if very less to convert the digestive reaction to products. Therefore more surface area is available to digest both amylase and amylopectin branched polysaccharide.