Bezoar
A small stony concretion that may form in the stomachs of certain animals, especially ruminants. Bezoars are caused by a buildup of material in the gastrointestinal tract that the stomach can't digest.
ENZYME
Usually a protein that accelerates a biochemical reaction at body temperature, without being used up in the process (see also catalyst).
METABOLIZABLE PROTEIN
In ruminant nutrion, metabolizable protein, often abbreviated MP, is the amount of digestible protein that reach the small intestine, which is the source of amino acids absorbed into the blood. The three main sources of MP include rumen undegraded protein (the dietary protein fraction that has not been degraded in the rumen), the microbial (bacterial) protein synthesized in the rumen from the fermentation process, and the endogenous protein (intestinal digestive enzymes and sloughed cells from the gastro-intestinal tract). The latter source is minimal.
PROTOZOAN
Most primitive form of life in the animal kingdom composed of only one microscopic cell.
RHIZOBIUM
A type of bacteria that live in association with the roots of legume plants and make the nitrogen of the air available to the plants.
RHIZOME
A root-like usually horizontal stem growing under or along the ground that sends out roots from its lower surfaces and leaves or shoots from its upper surface.