Man cannot digest cellulose but cow and other herbivorous animals can take food containing cellulose because-

Options

A. They have enzyme cellulase in their stomach
B. They masticate it well by chewing teeth
C. They have bacteria in their alimentary canal which digest cellulose
D. None of the above

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Cellulose Digestion:**
- Humans lack the enzyme cellulase, which is necessary for breaking down cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls. This is the primary reason why humans cannot digest cellulose.

2. **Herbivorous Animals' Adaptation:**
- Herbivorous animals, such as cows, have evolved specific adaptations that allow them to digest cellulose effectively. One of these adaptations is the presence of specialized stomachs.

3. **Structure of Cow's Stomach:**
- Cows have a four-chambered stomach, which includes the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. The rumen is particularly important for cellulose digestion.

4. **Role of Microorganisms:**
- The rumen contains a diverse population of microorganisms, including bacteria that produce cellulase. These bacteria help break down cellulose into simpler sugars, making it digestible for the cow.

5. **Process of Rumination:**
- When cows eat, they initially chew their food only slightly. The food is then stored in the rumen, where it is fermented by bacteria. Later, the partially digested food (called cud) is regurgitated, chewed again, and swallowed for further digestion in the other stomach chambers and the intestines.

6. **Conclusion:**
- In summary, the ability of cows and other herbivores to digest cellulose is due to their specialized stomach structure and the presence of cellulose-digesting bacteria in their digestive system. In contrast, humans lack these adaptations, which is why they cannot digest cellulose.

**Final Answer:**
Cows and other herbivorous animals can digest cellulose because they have bacteria in their alimentary canal which digest cellulose.

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