Final answer:
Whales have multi-chambered stomachs to digest plant material and benefit from microbial support. The stomach chambers allow for longer digestion time and the action of enzymes on food particles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whales have multi-chambered stomachs to help them digest the large amount of plant material they consume. The stomach of a whale consists of four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. These chambers contain microbes that break down cellulose and ferment ingested food. The multi-chambered stomach provides the necessary space and microbial support to digest plant material in whales.
Furthermore, plant material is difficult to digest because animals lack cellulase, an enzyme that breaks down cellulose. The multiple stomach chambers in whales allow the food to stay in the stomach for a longer time, allowing peristaltic movements and the action of enzymes on food particles to occur for a longer duration.