Answer:

1. Ruminants, such as cows and sheep, have a four-chambered stomach: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.
2. They consume food and swallow it into the rumen, where it is mixed with bacteria and other microorganisms.
3. The microorganisms break down the food through fermentation, producing volatile fatty acids and gases, such as methane.
4. The partially digested food, called the cud, is regurgitated and chewed again, to further break down the fibers and increase the surface area for digestion.
5. The cud is then reswallowed and passes through the reticulum and omasum, where water and nutrients are absorbed.
6. The remaining material enters the abomasum, which is similar to the stomach of monogastric animals, where it is further digested with enzymes and acids.
7. The digested nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine and transported throughout the body for energy and growth.
8. The waste products are eliminated as feces and urine.