In a grazing ruminant, the main source of glucose comes from:

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Consider the energy and metabolic context of a grazing ruminant. In these animals, the fermentation of forage in the rumen produces volatile fatty acids (VFAs) as the primary energy source, with acetate, propionate, and butyrate being the main products. 
Option 1: Direct absorption of glucose from the diet — In ruminants, most dietary carbohydrates are fermented in the rumen before absorption, so intact dietary glucose is not a major contributor to systemic glucose levels. This makes this choice misleading. 
Option 2: Digestion of microbial mass — While microbial protein from the rumen can provide amino acids after digestion, the statement focuses on glucose production, and microbial digestion is not the principal source of circulating glucose. It bypasses the key gluconeogenic pathway that supplies glucose. 
Option 3: Digestion of fatty acids — Fatty acids themselves are not converted into glucose; they are oxidized for energy or used in other metabolic routes. The digestion of fatty acids does not generate significant glucose in ruminants, so this option does not address glucose supply. 
Option 4: The conversion of volatile fatty acid (VFA) & amino acids via gluconeogenesis — This is the correct mechanism. Propionate (a major glucogenic VFA) and certain amino acids are used in gluconeogenesis to synthesize glucose, which is crucial for ruminants given their limited dietary glucose supply. This pathway explains the primary source of glucose in grazing ruminants. 
In summary, the key idea is that ruminants rely on gluconeogenesis from propionate and amino acids rather than direct dietary glucose or other pathways to maintain blood glucose levels, making option 4 the accurate choice.

ANSC20002_2025_SM2 Exam: Comparative Nutrition and Digestion (ANSC20002_2025_SM2)- Requires Respondus LockDown Browser

In a grazing ruminant, the main source of glucose comes from:

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

The process of synthesizing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources is called:

Person X decides to eliminate completely all carbohydrates from their diet, eating only proteins. How is glucose generated?

After 1 day fasting

During fasting, when glycogen stores have been depleted, the body begins to synthesise glucose from

The synthesis of glucose from lactate, glycerol, or amino acids is called

Gluconeogenesis is

Some glucose can be synthesised from

During fasting, when glycogen stores have been depleted, the body begins to synthesise glucose from

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler