how do cows obtain energy from grass?

Question

my biology teacher said that animals are unable to break down the grass into energy on their own. he said that the cows have something helping them.
what?

i thought that it might be the bugs in the grass
or stuff the farmers put into it
but he said i was wrong

help?

Answer 1

Cows have a special part in their digestive system called a rumen. It's kind of like another stomach. When the grass stays in this rumen, the grass is broken down by bacteria that live in there. So the cows get help from bacteria.

However, you only have to look at dried cow waste to see that there is plenty of recognizable grass left in it. Even cows can't digest it all.

Answer 2

They contain an enzyme that aids in digestion to help break down cellulose.