Omasum function.

Omasum function.

• A. Absorb water
• B. Regurgitate/chew the cud
• C. Contain microorganisms and break down plant material
• D. True stomach/contains HCl

Answer: (A)

The omasum’s job is to absorb water from the digesta as it moves from the rumen/reticulum toward the true stomach. Its many internal folds increase surface area, which helps reclaim water and some minerals and also helps regulate how much digesta passes on to the abomasum. Regurgitating and chewing cud is a hallmark of rumination, primarily occurring in the rumen and reticulum, not the omasum. The bulk of microbial fermentation and plant material breakdown happens there as well. The true stomach, which secretes acid (hydrochloric acid), is the abomasum, not the omasum.

The omasum’s job is to absorb water from the digesta as it moves from the rumen/reticulum toward the true stomach. Its many internal folds increase surface area, which helps reclaim water and some minerals and also helps regulate how much digesta passes on to the abomasum.

Regurgitating and chewing cud is a hallmark of rumination, primarily occurring in the rumen and reticulum, not the omasum. The bulk of microbial fermentation and plant material breakdown happens there as well. The true stomach, which secretes acid (hydrochloric acid), is the abomasum, not the omasum.