Question

Vertebrates can be grouped into three categories based on their diets; list and briefly define these categories, giving one example of each. Which group has the shortest small intestine, and why?

Short answer

Vertebrates can be grouped into herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores based on their diets. Herbivores primarily feed on plants (e.g., cow), carnivores feed on other animals (e.g., lion), and omnivores have a diverse diet, feeding on both plants and animals (e.g., bear). Carnivores have the shortest small intestine among the three categories, as their primary food source, animal tissue, is easier and faster to break down and absorb compared to plant material. This allows for faster digestion and absorption of nutrients to support their active lifestyle and hunting activities.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the categories of vertebrates based on their diets

The three categories of vertebrates based on their diets are herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

Define and provide examples for each category

Herbivores: These are animals that primarily feed on plants. They have a specialized digestive system that allows them to break down and extract nutrients from plant material. Example: Cow Carnivores: These are animals that primarily feed on other animals. They have a shorter digestive tract compared to herbivores, allowing them to break down and absorb nutrients from animal tissue more quickly. Example: Lion Omnivores: These are animals that have a diverse diet, feeding on both plants and animals. They have a digestive system that is adapted to process a variety of food types. Example: Bear

Determine the group with the shortest small intestine

Carnivores have the shortest small intestine among the three categories of vertebrates.

Explain why carnivores have the shortest small intestine

Carnivores have a shorter small intestine because their primary food source is animal tissue, which is easier and faster to break down and absorb compared to plant material. A shorter small intestine allows for faster digestion and absorption of nutrients, which is helpful for predators that need to quickly extract energy and nutrients from their meals to support their active lifestyle and hunting activities.