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KCET · BIOLOGY · STD 12 - 8. Microbes in Human Welfare

Ruminant animals can digest cellulose in their food, whereas human beings are unable to do so. This is because

  1. A methanogens are absent in human gut
  2. B methanogens are present in human gut
  3. C cellulose is a complex sugar
  4. D cellulose reduces the bulk of food
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Correct Answer

(A) methanogens are absent in human gut

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Detailed explanation

(A) methanogens are absent in human gut,
(a) Cellulose cannot be digested by humans gut because methanogen bacteria is absent that produce the enzyme cellulase for carrying out the fermentation of cellulose. Certain bacteria, which grow anaerobically on cellulose material, produce large amount of methane along with \(CO _2\) and \(H _2\). These bacteria are collectively called methanogens. These bacteria are present in the rumen of cattle. In rumen, these bacteria help in the breakdown of cellulose and play an important role in the nutrition of cattle.