In non-ruminant animals, digestion occurs in a single-chambered stomach. These animals, including humans, pigs, dogs, and horses, have a straightforward digestive process that can be divided into several stages: Ingestion : The animal takes in food through the mouth, where it is chewed and mixed with saliva. Saliva contains enzymes like amylase, which begins the breakdown of carbohydrates. Swallowing and Transport : The chewed food, now called a bolus, is swallowed and moves down the esophagus through peristaltic movements to the stomach. Stomach Digestion : In the stomach, the food is mixed with gastric juices, which contain hydrochloric acid (HCl) and enzymes like pepsin. The acidic environment in the stomach helps break down proteins into smaller peptides. The stomach churns the food, turning it into a semi-liquid substance called chyme. Small Intestine Digestion and Absorption : The chyme enters the small intestine, where it mixes with bile (produced by the liver and stored in the ...