[ 3 / biz / cgl / ck / diy / fa / ic / jp / lit / sci / vr / vt ] [ index / top / reports ] [ become a patron ] [ status ]
2023-11: Warosu is now out of extended maintenance.

/sci/ - Science & Math

View post   
File: 76 KB, 1024x640, ThinkingKonata.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
4214893 No.4214893 [Reply] [Original]

Why do we see no species of mammal possessing 100% absorption of ingested food items and elimination of waste products through some other mechanism besides the lower intestine/anus? Are mammals simply too metabolic for this to occur in nature?

>> No.4214902
File: 490 KB, 449x401, LaughingWhores.png [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
4214902

>He doesn't understand evolution

>> No.4214909
File: 73 KB, 604x443, 1262550914003.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
4214909

>Are mammals simply too metabolic for this to occur in nature?
wut?

>> No.4214912

>>4214902
100% efficiency of food to support bodily functions is clearly an evolutionary advantage. Less bulk item is required for consumption, we see this in plants and (some what in) plankton.

Why wouldn't removing the need to shit be an evolutionary advantage?

>> No.4214916

>>4214909
Let's say some organism x consumes a chicken leg whole. Everything (down to the molecular level) is metabolized. Why isn't this possible/why don't we see it?

>> No.4214926

Do we not eliminate some ingested waste through sweat and exhalation?

>> No.4214927

>>4214912
>100% efficiency of food to support bodily functions is clearly an evolutionary advantage

I strongly doubt that there is 100% absorption of any ingested food item, ever, in any species.

To answer your question: probably for a similar reason that haemoglobin does not bind 100% of oxygen.

>> No.4214931
File: 412 KB, 468x477, 1321828310518-(n1323559839116).png [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
4214931

>biology
>hard science
pick one

>> No.4214933

>>4214912

See this is exactly why I said you don't understand evolution. Evolution is not directional, it is not intelligent, and it usually doesn't find the absolute best way of doing things. Natural selection is the driver for evolution - it only excludes things that are not acceptable. It doesn't find the best thing possible.

>> No.4214934

>>4214912
that's not how digestion works, didn't you go to school? The human body can barely digest anything, enzymes and foreign bacteria do most of the work, with their shit used as energy.

Trying to metabolize 100% of what they eat is a waste of resources, and that's why nothing has evolved that way.