Week 7
Physiology Assignment
A rabbit is a highly accustomed herbivorous animal. In its surroundings, a rabbit must
constantly eat and gnaw plants to attain the energy that it requires. Furthermore, it must
continue its activity while keeping away from predators. Rabbits have several numbers of physiological
adaptations that help them to stay alive in their surroundings. There are little distinct characteristics that
essentially help to live fine to its environment.
The first characteristic is its digestive system. Because its primary food source is plants, the
rabbit must eat enough amounts of plants to produce energy and effectively digest them down. This is
difficult because the basic part of cell walls of plants is cellulose (Ophardt, 2003). Cellulose is a largely
resistant to the majority of animal digestive enzymes
and is also actually tough to digest down. Cellulose is
the primary supply of fiber in majority of diets and also
the main part in plant based fibers and textiles
(Ophardt, 200e). This presents just how sturdy this
complicated carbohydrate is. In addition, cellulose, takes
much time to digest down than other macronutrients
(lipids, starch, and proteins) that organisms consumes. This is because to the connection systems that
link and orient the glucose molecules (Ophardt, 2003).
First, the creature must be able to
successfully consume the food substance. For
this to be accomplished, the rabbit requires
supremely sturdy teeth that can both slice and
squash plant fibers (MedicAnimal Ltd,
n.d).Based on MedicAnimal Ltd (n.d.) It is also
required for the rabbit to have teeth that
constantly develop because of the continuous
damage from nibbling the entire day.
Another particular characteristic is the
entire length of the rabbit’s digestive system
compared to its length size. “The intestines of
herbivorous animals are up to 27 times longer than the actual length of the animal, when calculated in a
living animal” (Aurora Rex Rabbit Ranch, 2012). This provides the plant substance additional time in the
digestive passageway. Another particular characteristic of this specific animal is the Caecum. Based on
the University of Waikato, (n.d.), “In herbivore the caecum is largely inflated and functions as a storage
organ that allows bacteria and other microbes time to further break down cellulose”. The bacteria are
able to generate enzymes that are able to digest cellulose. This symbiotic relationship developed through
a procedure popularly called as Natural Selection. Creatures, such as rabbits, that hosted bacteria in their
digestive canal, were greater to gather energy from their food and had better level of keeping live and
reproducing (Grabianowski, 2012). Through time, the availability of bacteria in the alimentary canal must
have been advantageous and thus the ecosystem chosen for this trait.
In conclusion, the rabbit is food to various predators. Rabbits must be agile to avoid to any
harms and thus must have accurate sense that can rapidly and precisely warn the rabbit to any threat.
Based on the Bureau of Information and Education of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, herbivores,
like rabbits, have several means to avoid capture by its predators. The first portrayal provided by the
Pennsylvania Game Commission is that the positions of their eyes are placed on side by side of their
head, providing them a wide peripheral vision view. Second, rabbits also have huge ears that help them
to hear greater than a human. Every time the rabbit notices a predator, they can escape. Rabbits are very
agile and nimble animals which help them to avoid predators. In the end, rabbits have coloration that
provides them camouflage into their environment. This camouflage makes it hard for predator to notice
the rabbit in an instant. (Bureau of Information and Education of the Pennsylvania Game Commission,
n.d.)
It is obvious to look that there are various physical characteristics that enable the rabbit very
adaptable for its surrounding, and habitat. Adaptations can be discovered both internally and externally.
In entirety, the rabbit is well fit to gather the materials and nutrients it requires while escaping capture
from predators.
References:
Aurora Rex Rabbit Ranch (2012) The Carnivore Digestive System. Retrieved from http://www.raising-
rabbits.com/carnivore-digestive-system.html
Bureau of Information and Education of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (n.d.) Envirothon Skull
Reference
Resource. Retrieved from http://www.envirothonpa.org/documents/skulldrawings.pdf
Grabianowski, E. (2012) How Stuff Works: Evolution of Symbiosis. Retreived from
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/evolution/symbiosis2.htm
MedicAnimal Ldt (n.d.) A guide to understanding rabbit teeth and dentistry. Retrieved from
http://www.medicanimal.com/viewarticle/~contentId=111554/~nodeTrailCsv=ARSMALL_ANIMALS-RABBIT_SPECIFIC,111554/~category_id=MA_SMALL_ANIMALS
Ophardt, C. E. (2003) Virtual Chembook: Elmhurst College. Retreived from
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/547cellulose.html
[IMAGE] Skull Diagram Retrieved from: http://www.mohrs.org/hrswebpg23.html
[IMAGE] Digestive System Diagram Retrieved from:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/t1690E/t1690e04.htm