Final answer:
Complex carbohydrates like starch in a cow's diet are broken down enzymatically into simpler sugars such as glucose, which are then absorbed and used for energy. Cows can also digest cellulose due to their specialized digestive system.
Step-by-step explanation:
What Happens to Complex Carbohydrates in a Cow's Digestive System?
When a cow consumes corn, which contains complex carbohydrates such as starch, these carbs are digested as they move through the cow's digestive system. Starch is a polysaccharide that plants produce to store energy, consisting mainly of long chains of glucose molecules. In the cow's digestive system, the starch is broken down by enzymes into simpler sugars.
During the process of digestion, enzymatic hydrolysis occurs where enzymes like amylase begin the breakdown of starch in the mouth and continue in the intestine. Complex carbohydrates are further broken down into shorter chains called oligosaccharides and disaccharides by amylase from the pancreas. Additional enzymes in the intestine, such as maltase, sucrase, and lactase, convert these into monosaccharides like glucose, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream to be used as energy for the cells.
Any indigestible polysaccharides, such as cellulose, which cows can digest due to their unique stomachs and microbial flora, pass through the digestive system and contribute to the bulk of the feces. This process of breaking down complex carbohydrates is essential for providing the necessary energy for the cow to maintain its physiological functions.