Which of the following correctly compares the relative length of the small intestine in herbivorous animals and carnivorous animals, based on their different types of diet and digestion?

Introduction / Context:
Digestive tract length varies greatly among animals and is closely linked to the type of food they eat. Herbivores feed mainly on plant material, while carnivores feed mainly on flesh. Textbook biology and general science often test the concept that herbivores need longer intestines to digest complex plant substances like cellulose. This question checks whether the learner remembers the comparative length of the small intestine in herbivores and carnivores.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Two groups of animals are compared: herbivores and carnivores.
• The organ under discussion is the small intestine.
• The options compare herbivore small intestine length with carnivore small intestine length using greater than, less than, or equal relationships.
• We assume typical mammalian herbivores and carnivores as examples, such as cow versus tiger.

Concept / Approach:
Plant material is rich in cellulose and complex carbohydrates that are difficult to digest. Herbivores therefore require a longer digestive tract, particularly a longer small intestine, to provide sufficient time and surface area for microbial action and nutrient absorption. Carnivores consume protein and fat rich foods that are relatively easier to digest and absorb, so they generally have a shorter and simpler intestine. The correct approach is to recall that herbivores have a longer small intestine than carnivores to support the digestion of fibrous plant matter.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the diets. Herbivores eat mostly plant material, while carnivores eat mainly meat. Step 2: Recall that plant material contains cellulose and complex fibers which require more time to break down. Step 3: Note that herbivores often have a long small intestine and sometimes additional fermentation chambers such as rumen or cecum. Step 4: Recognize that carnivores have a relatively short and straight digestive tract because proteins and fats are easier to digest and absorb. Step 5: Conclude that the length of the small intestine in herbivores is greater than that in carnivores, which corresponds to Herbivore > Carnivore.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider examples. A cow, deer, or goat has a long coiled small intestine and a complex stomach region, adapting them to grazing and digesting fibrous plant matter. A lion or tiger has a much shorter intestine relative to body length because meat is digested more rapidly. This pattern is consistent across many mammalian herbivores and carnivores. Therefore, cross checking with real animals confirms that herbivores have longer small intestines than carnivores.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Herbivore = Carnivore is incorrect because the diets and digestive requirements of these groups are very different, and this is reflected in the differing lengths of their intestines. Option B: Herbivore < Carnivore is the opposite of the correct relationship. Carnivores generally have shorter intestines. Option D: No option is correct is wrong because the correct comparison Herbivore > Carnivore is clearly given as an option. Option E: Herbivore has no small intestine is biologically impossible, since the small intestine is a key part of the digestive system in vertebrates.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes assume that meat is harder to digest because it seems tougher, and therefore carnivores might need longer intestines. In reality, plant cell walls are more difficult to break down because of cellulose, and herbivores rely heavily on microbial fermentation. Another mistake is mixing up the roles of the small and large intestines or confusing stomach complexity with intestinal length. Remember that it is the combination of diet type and digestive adaptations that determines intestinal length.

Final Answer:
The correct comparative statement is that the length of the small intestine in herbivores is greater than the length of the small intestine in carnivores, so Herbivore > Carnivore.