Final answer:
In the ruminant digestive system, plant material is passed through, digested, and absorbed using specialized compartments like the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and intestines. Microbes in the rumen and reticulum break down cellulose and ferment the plant material.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the ruminant digestive system, plant material is passed through, digested, and absorbed using several specialized compartments. First, the food is chewed in the mouth and then swallowed, passing through the esophagus into the rumen and the reticulum. These compartments contain microbes that break down cellulose and ferment the ingested plant material.
Next, the ruminant regurgitates cud from the rumen, which is then re-chewed and swallowed, moving into the omasum for water removal. Finally, the partially digested plant material enters the small and large intestines for nutrient absorption and further water absorption. Waste is excreted through the anus.