Question

Explain the statement using one word: A cow is dependent on plants for its food.

Answer 1

Hint: The placental mammals are divided into different order depending upon their nature of feeding and other activities. Cows are the grazing animals they mainly depend on for green plants and green grasses for their food.

Complete Answer:
All living organisms present in the environment are interdependent on other organisms for their needs. The cow is dependent upon plants for its food therefore they are known as heterotrophs. A hypertrophic animal can't prepare their food therefore they depend on autotrophs like a plant. Cow comes under primary consumer because they directly depend on the plant for food as the plant is a producer.
Cow belongs to the Artiodactyla order of placental mammals which are terrestrial and fast running animals and it includes buffalo, pig, hippopotamus, sheep, goats, deer, antelopes, camels and giraffes. All of them are herbivores dependent upon grasses and other plants and they are also considered grazing animals. Cows are cud-chewing animals and it has a four-chambered stomach which helps in the digestion of cellulose present in the green leaves and its breakdown with the help of microorganism present in the rumen. The most active microorganism that helps in the breakdown of cellulose is Ruminococcus and other microorganisms present in the rumen is selenomonas which are harmless bacteria.

Note:
In herbivorous animals like cows and buffalo the upper canines are absent with mandibular brachydont. The molar teeth and jaw in herbivores move sideways which help in chewing and grinding of food. An upper empty surface jaw pad is present which meets with the side incisor teeth.