Which part of the stomach absorbs water and filters and sorts the food?
A reticulum
B. omasum
C. abomasum
D. rumen
C. abomasum
The correct answer is C. abomasum. The abomasum is the fourth compartment of the ruminant stomach and is often referred to as the "true stomach." It functions similarly to the stomach in non-ruminant animals, such as humans, by secreting gastric juices, including acid and enzymes, to chemically break down food. It also absorbs water and filters and sorts the food before it moves on to the intestines for further digestion and absorption.
The correct answer is C. abomasum.
To determine the correct part of the stomach that absorbs water, filters, and sorts the food, we need to understand the anatomy of a cow's stomach. In a cow, the stomach consists of four compartments: rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.
The rumen is the largest compartment and functions as a fermentation vat for breaking down complex plant fibers. It contains symbiotic microorganisms that help in the digestion process.
The reticulum is situated on the front wall of the rumen and acts as a sieve, trapping large foreign objects such as nails or stones that the cow might accidentally consume.
The omasum is responsible for further filtering and squeezing the liquid content from the partly digested food before it passes into the last compartment.
The abomasum is often referred to as the "true stomach" as it is analogous to the stomach in monogastric animals, like humans. It secretes digestive enzymes and acids to break down proteins and absorbs water, electrolytes, and various nutrients.
Therefore, the part of the stomach that absorbs water and filters and sorts the food is the C. abomasum.