Which complex carbohydrate cannot be broken down by the human body but can be digested by cows with the help of special bacteria?
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4 min read
Cellulose is the most abundant organic polymer on Earth, yet the human body cannot extract its energy content. This complex carbohydrate, found in plant cell walls, passes through our digestive system largely intact, but for cows, it is a primary source of nutrition. The key difference lies in the symbiotic relationship between cows and the special bacteria living in their digestive tract.