Difference Between Monogastric Digestive System and Ruminant Digestive System
Table of Contents
Main Difference
The main difference between Monogastric Digestive System and Ruminant Digestive System is that Monogastric Digestive System’s digestion takes place in the stomach, whereas Ruminant Digestive System digestion takes place in the rumen.
Monogastric Digestive System vs. Ruminant Digestive System
The monogastric digestive system is considered as the organ system in which the digestion of both plants and animals takes place, whereas the ruminant digestive system is considered as the organ system in which the plant digestion primarily takes place. The monogastric digestive system mainly present in carnivores who eat animal material and in omnivores who eat both plants and animals, while on its contrary, the ruminant digestive system is present only in herbivores.
The monogastric digestive system is modified to digest materials of both plants and animals; on the flip side, the ruminant digestive system is adjusted to digesting only plant ingredients. The length of the monogastric digestive system is short, while the length of the ruminant digestive system is relatively long.
The enzymes are secreted in the monogastric digestive system to digest proteins; on the contrary, enzymes are lack in the ruminant digestive system to digest any protein. Four, piercing canines are present in the monogastric digestive system, whereas two, dull canines are present in the ruminant digestive system. In the monogastric digestive system, the premolars and molars move in the perpendicular direction; on the other hand, in the ruminant digestive system, the premolars and molars move in the adjacent direction.
The monogastric digestive system of humans produces saliva of about 1-1.5 liters per day. In contrast, on its flip side, the ruminant digestive system of cow produces saliva of approximately 65 liters per day. The monogastric digestive does not contain any regurgitation, whereas the ruminant digestive system consists of regurgitation during the process of digestion.
Comparison Chart
| Monogastric Digestive System | Ruminant Digestive System |
| A digestive system that contains a single partition stomach, which mainly helps in the process of digestion, is known as a monogastric digestive system. | A digestive system that consists of a multi-section stomach that primarily helps in the process of digestion is known as the ruminant digestive system. |
| Considered As | |
| The organ system in which the digestion of both plants and animals take place | The organ system in which the plant digestion primarily takes place |
| Type of Animals | |
| Mainly present in carnivores who eat animal material and in omnivores who eat both plants and animals | Present only in herbivores |
| Type of Diet | |
| Modified to digest materials of both plants and animals | Adjusted to digest only plant ingredients |
| Length | |
| Short | Long |
| Enzymes to Digest Proteins | |
| The enzymes are secreted to digest proteins | Lack of enzymes to digest any protein |
| Canines | |
| Four, sharp canines are present | Two, blunt canines are present |
| Premolars and Molars | |
| The premolars and molars move in the upright direction | The premolars and molars move in the adjacent direction |
| Saliva | |
| Humans produce saliva of about 1-1.5 liters per day | The cow produces saliva of approximately 65 liters per day |
| Digestive Enzymes in Saliva | |
| The saliva contains carbohydrate digestive enzymes | The saliva does not consist of digestive enzymes |
| Regurgitation | |
| Does not contain any regurgitation | Consist of regurgitation during the process of digestion |
| Rumen/ Stomach | |
| Consist of a simple stomach | Consist of a complex rumen |
| Number of Stomach Compartments | |
| A single compartment stomach | Four compartment stomach |
| Liver | |
| About 1.5 kg liver weighs | The liver of cows weigh more than human liver |
| Length of the Small Intestine | |
| Humans small intestine is 6.1 m long | Cows small intestine is 46 m long |
| Length of the Colon | |
| The human colon is 5-6 m long | Cow colon is 11 m long |
What is Monogastric Digestive System?
The digestive system, which aids in the digestion of both plant and animal constituents, is known as the Monogastric digestive system. The digestive system is called ‘Monogastric’ as it contains only one stomach. The Monogastric digestive system is present in horse, swine, human, fowl, dog, and rabbit-like animals.
The monogastric digestive system is made up of the esophagus, mouth, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, and anus. The digestion process starts mechanically and chemically when food enters the mouth. The saliva consists of enzymes known as carbohydrate digestive enzymes to digest carbohydrates. The esophagus is the path that guides the food towards the stomach.
Animals having a monogastric digestive system eat animal tissues as their food. The monogastric digestive system is modified to digest the materials of both plants and animals. Hence, their diet is relatively easy to digest, and a single compartment stomach is sufficient for this purpose.
What is the Ruminant Digestive System?
The digestive system, which is considered to a specific organ system in which the digestion plant constituents mainly happen, is known as the ruminant digestive system. This digestive system is present in cattle, cow, sheep, deer, and goat.
The ruminant animals contain top jaws that do not have teeth in front, but as a substitute, a tough layer of skin is present, which is called a dental pad. The ruminant digestive system consists of four partitioned stomachs. There is a present omasum, rumen, reticulum, and abomasum. The first three parts of the stomach, which consist of the reticulum rumen, and omasum, are involved in the digestion of plant fibers.
Mostly the microflora is involved in the ruminant digestive system in which they break down cellulose by fermentation, forming unstable fatty acids, for instance, butyrate, acetate, and propionate. The unstable fatty acids are digested by the cow as a source of nutrition.
In the fourth part of the stomach, known as abomasum, the digestive enzymes are secreted. That is why in ruminant animals, the fermentation happens before the digestion of food, so this procedure is known as foregut fermentation.
Moreover, the ruminant digestive system partly digests the food and then cud the food by recurring it from the first part of the stomach. In addition to the small and large intestines, the ruminant digestive system contains a large caecum for further digesting the plant fibers.
Key Differences
Conclusion
The above discussion concludes that the monogastric digestive system contains a single compartment stomach and eats material of both plants and animals. In contrast, the ruminant digestive system consists of a complex four-compartment stomach and eats only herbivores.
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