RESPIRATION

Cows breathe by contracting their diaphragm, which decreases pressure within the thoracic cavity sucking air into their airway and lungs. Air enters the upper airway passing through the pharynx and larynx to the trachea. Which carries the oxygen to the bronchi which break off into the bronchioles, at the end of those are small air filled sacs called alveoli.

CIRCULATION

Cows like almost all mammals have a four chambered heart. Blood enters the right atria through the Vena Cava, passes through the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle. From there it is pumped to the lungs to be oxygenated and reenters the heart at the left atria. Passing through the bicuspid valve it is pumped from the left ventricle through the aorta to the rest of the body. Providing the animals tissues and organs with oxygen and nutrients.

DIGESTION

Both mechanical and chemical digestion. Enzymes break down food into macromolecules into digestible materials. Food passes from the mouth where both mechanical and chemical digestion take place, through the esophagus to the stomach where digestion continues. Then into the small and large intestine where absorption takes place.

MOVEMENT

Cows have four legs... they walk. They have hooves. Thats about it.

OSMOTIC REGULATION

Like most mammals cows regulate osmotic pressure by the use of their kidneys. A hormone called Antidiuertic hormone (ADH) is released and causes the uptake of water within the kidneys.

REPRODUCTION

Cows use internal reproduction and are fertilized by the males sperm entering the egg of the female. The egg then implants on the uterine wall and is nourished by the mother, until the calf is finished developing and is birthed, this period of time is known as gestation.

PROTECTION

Due to cows being an almost exclusively domesticated animal the only exterior protection they really require is their skin. Which protects them from bacteria and minor injuries. Like most mammals their interior protection is composed of the immune system. A system of vessels and white blood cells that fight off foreign bodies within the blood stream.

TEMPERATURE REGULATION

Cows as well as most mammals regulate their temperature through actions such as sweating when their internal temperature raises or shivering when their internal temperature decreases. Dilating superficial blood vessels and sweating allows for the release of heat. And shivering allows the muscles to generate heat.

FOOD GETTING

Cows primarily eat grass, they have multiple stomachs that allows the grass to be digested over a longer period of time.

NUTRITION

Like humans and most other mammals cows need nutrients to survive. This includes protein, carbohydrates, and other vitamins and minerals.