What type of animal has only one stomach compartment?

The type of animal that has only one stomach compartment is indeed a monogastric. Monogastric animals possess a simple stomach structure, which means they have a single chamber for digestion, unlike ruminants that have a complex stomach with multiple compartments designed for fermentation and breaking down fibrous plant materials.

Monogastric animals, such as pigs and humans, primarily break down food using enzymes and acids in this single stomach chamber, allowing for straightforward digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. This efficiency makes them particularly well-suited for a more diverse range of diets compared to ruminants, which rely heavily on microbial fermentation in various stomach compartments to process fibrous vegetative matter.

In contrast, ruminants have specialized digestive systems consisting of four stomach compartments, enabling the breakdown of tough plant materials through fermentation. Herbivores often have similar adaptations, and many of them are ruminants. Omnivores can have either monogastric or ruminant digestive systems, which allows them to eat both plant and animal matter, but this classification does not specifically define the number of stomach compartments. The distinction of monogastric is essential for understanding digestive processes in different animal types.