COW 75 MINUTES
SBI3U, SBI3C, SBI4U,
DIGESTION SCH4U, SCH4C, SVN3M
A high school lesson plan provided by the University of Guelph
This activity will allow students to use their understanding of the digestive systems and increase their
knowledge of digestive function of ruminant species. Students will be able to test their knowledge of
these biological systems and basic chemistry in this exciting lesson plan.
Curriculum Alignments Assessment Strategies and Success
and Expectations Criteria
• Explain using appropriate terminology the • Think-pair-share
anatomy and physiology of the digestive • Open-ended questions
system and the importance of digestion in • Discussion and debrief
providing nutrients needed for energy and • Quiz
growth • Peer instructors
• Explain the vital roles of microorganisms
in the symbiotic relationships with other Cross Curricular Links
organisms
• Compare the different classes of organic • Career Studies- Communicating with
compounds by describing the similarities Others and Interpersonal Relations
and differences in names and structural • Career Studies- Identifying Trends and
formulae of the compounds within each Opportunities
class • Geography – Patterns of Natural and
• Explain the chemical changes that occur Human Systems
during various types of chemical reactions
• Describe the chemical structures and Materials
mechanisms of various enzymes and be
able to identify functional group structures • Total Mixed Ration (TMR) Sample
that define common classes of organic • Grain/forage samples
compounds • Baking Soda
• Identify gases and particulates that are • Vinegar
commonly found in the atmosphere and • Cylindrical beakers or jars
explain how they affect air quality • Balloons
• Representation of each part of the cow’s
Learning objectives digestive system (i.e. construction cut out)
• Complimentary PowerPoint or handout
• Apply knowledge of the digestive system
• Discover the differences between ruminants
and other species
• Develop understanding of ruminant
digestive process and how it relates
to the environment by taking part in
demonstrations and activities
Page 1
COW 75 MINUTES
SBI3U, SBI3C, SBI4U,
DIGESTION SCH4U, SCH4C, SVN3M
A high school lesson plan provided by the University of Guelph
TEACHER NOTES
1. Begin by giving a brief reminder of the Note: Using samples of different feed
anatomy and function of the human ingredients can be a fun way to introduce
digestive system. different feed stuff. If possible, contact
a local farmer or feed supply to possibly
2. Define “ruminant”. Compare the anatomy provide samples of ingredients or TMR
of a human digestive system (monogastric) (total mixed ration).
with that of a ruminant. Diagrams are
a good visual representation of the 4. Begin the digestive journey. Define
differences. This lesson plan focuses on mastication and discuss the role of saliva
cattle as the ruminant model. Some other as a pH buffer and the first step in the
examples include sheep, goats, deer, digestion process.
camels, etc.
Saliva has a pH value of approximately 8.2;
Note: It is important to clarify that cows therefore it can help neutralize the effects of
(ruminants) do not have 4 stomachs; acid-producing feedstuffs in the rumen.
instead they have 4 compartments to
their stomach. This includes the rumen, Fun Fact: A cow can produce between
reticulum, omasum and abomasum. Helpful 40 and 150 L of saliva per day! How does
diagrams can easily be found online. this compare to a human? Humans are
estimated to produce 0.75 to 1.5 L of saliva
3. Discuss some examples of what makes up per day
the diet of a cow and how this differs from
other species. 5. Activity 1: Super Saliva
• Forages: Grass and legume plant species Required materials: Vinegar, baking soda,
(i.e. hays and grasses) clear container for mixing, balloon (optional)
• Grains: Cereal plant species (i.e. soybean,
corn, oats) Mix vinegar (pH of ~3) and baking soda
(pH of ~9) to represent feed stuff and the
Forage species are high in fibre and lower rumen (first compartment of stomach)
in digestible nutrients whereas grains environment respectively. Observe the
are very nutrient-dense. Many cattle are rapid neutralization reaction. This is
raised on pasture as their digestive system representative of what might happen if
is designed to digest fibrous materials. saliva did not “buffer” the feed stuff before
However, several cattle also consume large entering into the rumen. This could cause
quantities of grain, for instance in situations digestive distress and an increase in gasses
in which farmers want their animals to gain produced.
weight in a shorter period of time.
Optional: Use a pop bottle or a container
Page 2
COW 75 MINUTES
SBI3U, SBI3C, SBI4U,
DIGESTION SCH4U, SCH4C, SVN3M
A high school lesson plan provided by the University of Guelph
with a narrow opening and attached a organisms (bacteria) convert carbohydrates,
balloon on top to show the accumulation of such as starch or sugar into an alcohol or
gasses during the chemical reaction. acid.
The three main acids produced in ruminants
Fun Fact: Cows will belch (eruct) a are acetic acid, butyric acid and propanoic
combination of carbon dioxide and acid.
methane from the rumen. Cows will belch
30-50 L of gas per hour to avoid bloating! Fun Fact: The rumen is the site of
fermentation. There are over 200 different
6. Define rumination. bacteria in the rumen. Every minute,
rhythmic muscular contractions assist with
Rumination: to regurgitate and chew feed moving feedstuffs in and out of the rumen.
stuff that has already been chewed and
swallow again, also known as chewing the 8. Activity 2: The Fiber Mat
“cud”.
Required materials: Clear cylindrical
This can be a difficult concept when looking container, TMR (total mixed ration)
at the pathway through the digestive *Try to source from a local producer. You
system of the cow. A flow chart can be a will need about a handful.
great way to show the flow of food during
the process of rumination (introduce Fill the cylindrical container with water.
the concept of the 4 R’s – regurgitation, Put the handful of TMR into the top
rechewing, reinsalvation, reswallowing. of the container gently. Observe while
These represent the four phases of the concentrates (i.e. corn silage) sink
rumination). to the bottom and the larger more
fibrous materials stay on the top. This
The feedstuff moves from the mouth to the demonstration simulates the organization of
rumen for fermentation and is then moved feed within the rumen.
to the reticulum (second compartment of
the stomach) where larger particles will 9. Discuss the role of the reticulum.
return to the mouth and smaller particles
will pass through to the omasum. The The reticulum is the second compartment
abomasum is analogous to the human of the cow’s stomach. The reticulum is
stomach and is often referred to as the responsible for separating feedstuffs to
“true stomach” of the ruminant animals either be regurgitated or passed into the
omasum. The larger particles return to the
7. Describe fermentation. mouth to be broken down further and the
smaller particles travel to the omasum.
Fermentation: A metabolic process in which
Page 3
COW 75 MINUTES
SBI3U, SBI3C, SBI4U,
DIGESTION SCH4U, SCH4C, SVN3M
A high school lesson plan provided by the University of Guelph
Fun Fact: The reticulum is lined with
ridges that form a structure that Test your students’ understanding of the
resembles honeycomb, and is designed overall journey feedstuff will take in the
to capture large particles and materials cow’s digestive system. Have students
that cannot be digested (http:// represent each part of the ruminant
[Link]/the-exploration- digestive system and ask the class to
of-the-digestion-system-of-a-cattle/). It arrange them in the correct order.
also makes for easy identification of the
stomach chamber! Optional: This can be done in smaller
groups or as a class. An example of cut
10. Continue with the remainder of the outs you can use in small groups to arrange
organs in the digestive system of a the digestive system in the correct order is
ruminant. attached.
• Omasum: site of water absorption. Additional Resources
• Abomasum: site of protein digestion by
gastric juices (very acidic environment). • Parish, J., Rivera, J., and H. Boland.
• Small Intestine: break down and (2017, December 17). Understanding
absorption of fatty acids, sugars, amino the Ruminant Animal Digestive System.
acids, water. Retrieved from [Link]
• Cecum: located at the junction of the [Link]/publications/publications/
small and large intestine. Undigested understanding-the-ruminant-animal-
fiber is broken down here. digestive-system
• Large intestine: major site of mineral Author
absorption. Secondary site of
fermentation. Carleigh Johnston
• Rectum: excretion of undigested feed
stuff as waste. Contact
Fun Fact: The abomasum is analogous OAC Liaison Program Coordinator
to the human stomach. (519) 824-4120 Ext. 56812
oacliasn@[Link]
11. Activity 3: The Great Feed Journey
Required materials: Representation of
each part of cow’s digestive system (i.e.
construction cut out)
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RUMEN
OMASUM
ABOMASUM
