the majority of nutrient absorption takes place in the small intestine.
the majority of nutrient absorption takes place in the?
small intestine
after this, the digesta is moved to the true stomach, the abomasum. this is the gastric compartment of the ruminant stomach. the abomasum is the direct equivalent of the monogastric stomach, and digesta is digested here in much the same way. this compartment releases acids and enzymes that further digest the material passing through. this is also where the ruminant digests the microbes produced in the rumen. digesta is finally moved into the small intestine, where the digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs. the small intestine is the main site of nutrient absorption. the surface area of the digesta is greatly increased here because of the villi that are in the small intestine. this increased surface area allows for greater nutrient absorption. microbes produced in the reticulorumen are also digested in the small intestine. after the small intestine is the large intestine. the major roles here are breaking down mainly fiber by fermentation with microbes, absorption of water (ions and minerals) and other fermented products, and also expelling waste. fermentation continues in the large intestine in the same way as in the reticulorumen.
ruminant
bullet::::2. mesenteron (midgut): digestive enzymes in this region are produced and secreted into the lumen and here nutrients are absorbed into the insect's body. food is enveloped by this part of the gut as it arrives from the foregut by the peritrophic membrane which is a mucopolysaccharide layer secreted from the midgut's epithelial cells. it is thought that this membrane prevents food pathogens from contacting the epithelium and attacking the insects' body. it also acts as a filter allowing small molecules through, but preventing large molecules and particles of food from reaching the midgut cells. after the large substances are broken down into smaller ones, digestion and consequent nutrient absorption takes place at the surface of the epithelium. microscopic projections from the mid-gut wall, called microvilli, increase surface area and allow for maximum absorption of nutrients.
insect physiology