Which food requires a longer small intestine to digest food?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) – Grass
Grass requires a longer small intestine to digest food compared to the other options listed.
Grass is a fibrous plant material that contains cellulose, a complex carbohydrate that is difficult to digest. Herbivores, such as cows and horses, have longer digestive tracts, including a longer small intestine, to facilitate the breakdown of cellulose through the action of specialized microorganisms. These microorganisms ferment cellulose in the large intestine, allowing the herbivores to extract nutrients from the grass. Therefore, animals that primarily feed on grass, such as cows and horses, require a longer small intestine to digest food effectively.