In this exercise we will study microbial processes involved in the degradation of plant polymers in the rumen. We will develop balanced equations for the degradation of carbohydrate monomers and follow metabolic shifts which occur as a consequence of manipulating rumen habitat conditions through the addition of alternative substrates and growth promoting antibiotics.

The exercise refers to experiment 1 of the course "Diversity of Microorganisms - Bio III" and to the corresponding chapters in Madigan M.T., J.M. Martinko and J. Parker: "Brock - Biology of Microorganisms", 9th or 10th Edition (1999 and 2003), Prentice Hall. Fig. 16.41 in BBOM 9th (pg 683) or Fig. 19.28 in BBOM 10th (pg 660) should be consulted before attempting to solve this problem.