Quantitative and dynamic aspects of nitrogen metabolism in the rumen: a modeling analysis.

A modeling approach to analyses of ruminant digestive function is described. The approach provides for evaluations of current concepts and data for adequacy as explanations of behavior of the real system. It also provides for evaluation of hypotheses for probable adequacy as explanations of real behavior where proven concepts fail, and for identification of critical experiments. Analyses of several aspects of microbial maintenance and growth and dietary protein degradation are emphasized.