Question

Cows can digest cellulose, but humans can’t. Why not?

   Cows can digest cellulose, but humans can’t. Why not?

Chemistry

Steven S. Zumdahl,… 10th Edition

Chapter 22, Problem 108

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Solved by Expert Mary Shields

08/07/2019

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These linkages are bonds between the sugar molecules in the cellulose. \[ \text{Cellulose} \rightarrow \text{Beta-Glycosidic Linkages} \] Show more…

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Cows can digest cellulose, but humans can’t. Why not?

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Key Concepts

Cellulose

Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate and a major component of plant cell walls. Its structure is made up of long chains of sugar molecules linked by beta-glycosidic bonds, which make it resistant to breakdown by most organisms without specialized mechanisms.

Enzymatic Breakdown and Cellulases

The digestion of cellulose requires enzymes known as cellulases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of beta-glycosidic bonds. Humans do not produce these enzymes naturally, whereas some other organisms rely on them, often through the aid of symbiotic microbes.

Microbial Symbiosis

Many animals, particularly those classified as ruminants, depend on symbiotic relationships with specific microorganisms that reside in their digestive tracts. These microbes produce cellulases and enable the host to break down cellulose into usable nutrients.

Digestive System Specialization

Certain animals have evolved specialized digestive systems, such as multi-chambered stomachs, that facilitate an environment where microbial fermentation can efficiently occur. This adaptation allows the effective digestion of cellulose, a capability that is absent in species with simpler, non-fermentative digestive tracts.

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