Cattle are able to survive on a diet consisting almost entirely of plant material because cattle ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cattle have cellulose-digesting, symbiotic microorganisms in chambers of their stomachs, which enable them to break down the complex carbohydrates present in plant material and obtain nutrients from them. This adaptation is essential for their survival on a plant-based diet. Option A is incorrect because cattle are heterotrophs, meaning they obtain their energy and nutrients from other organisms. Option B is incorrect because while some animals re-ingest their faeces to obtain nutrients they may have missed the first time around, cattle do not typically exhibit this behavior. Option C is also incorrect because while the liver does play a role in amino acid synthesis, cattle are not capable of producing all 15 amino acids on their own.

Cattle Are Able to Survive on a Diet Consisting Almost