1. Rumen:
* Function: The largest chamber, acting as a fermentation vat. It houses a vast population of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoa) that break down cellulose, the primary component of plant cell walls.
* Process: Food enters the rumen, where it is mixed with saliva and churned by muscular contractions. Microbes digest the cellulose, producing volatile fatty acids (VFAs) that are absorbed into the bloodstream as the cow's primary energy source.
* Output: The partially digested food, called cud, is regurgitated back to the mouth for further chewing.
2. Reticulum:
* Function: Known as the "hardware stomach," the reticulum acts as a filter, separating large particles from smaller ones.
* Process: The reticulum receives cud from the rumen and helps sort it. It also traps foreign objects like wire or nails that might be ingested, preventing them from reaching the other compartments.
* Output: The reticulum passes the sorted food to the omasum.
3. Omasum:
* Function: The omasum is responsible for water absorption and further breakdown of food particles.
* Process: It has many folds and ridges that act like filters, further breaking down food particles and absorbing water and minerals.
* Output: The partially digested food moves to the abomasum.
4. Abomasum:
* Function: This is the true stomach, comparable to the stomach of other mammals.
* Process: The abomasum secretes digestive enzymes (like pepsin) and acids (hydrochloric acid) that further break down the food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the intestines.
* Output: The digested food moves into the small intestine for absorption.
In summary:
* Rumen: Fermentation and breakdown of cellulose by microorganisms.
* Reticulum: Sorting and filtering food, preventing the ingestion of harmful objects.
* Omasum: Water absorption and further breakdown of food particles.
* Abomasum: Digestive enzyme and acid secretion, completing the digestion process.