Caption: What happens when cows swallow grass? With porthole cows, you can take a look yourself!, Credit:  Image courtesy of Flickr user twbuckner.
Image by: Image courtesy of Flickr user twbuckner. 
What happens when cows swallow grass? With porthole cows, you can take a look yourself! 

Distillations Episode 125: Chem-Moo-Stry

Series: Distillations - The Chemistry Podcast
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
Length: 00:12:16

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In this episode, we'll get a window on all things bovine – in some cases, literally. From the strange evolution of lactose tolerance to a look at the inner workings of cow digestion, our producers go way beyond “Got milk.” Read the full description.

Porthole_cow_web_small Over a billion cows are currently grazing on lands across the world, but what do we actually know about them? They're big. They moo. They give us milk. But what else? In this episode, Distillations is answering some long-standing questions about cattle. First, we find out why the effects of dairy are nonexistent for some and unbearable for others. Then, producer Zoe Sullivan takes us to a research farm at the University of Wisconsin where scientists are exploring the mechanisms of cow digestion—with a little help from the clear, removable "portholes" implanted into its research cows.

Also in the Distillations - The Chemistry Podcast series

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Distillations Episode 142: Mid-century Mutants (00:14:40)
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Distillations Episode 141: Disaster Recovery (00:13:42)
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Distillations Episode 140: Swapping Spit (00:12:41)
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Distillations Episode 139: The Brain on Sports (00:11:37)
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From: Chemical Heritage Foundation

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Piece Description

Over a billion cows are currently grazing on lands across the world, but what do we actually know about them? They're big. They moo. They give us milk. But what else? In this episode, Distillations is answering some long-standing questions about cattle. First, we find out why the effects of dairy are nonexistent for some and unbearable for others. Then, producer Zoe Sullivan takes us to a research farm at the University of Wisconsin where scientists are exploring the mechanisms of cow digestion—with a little help from the clear, removable "portholes" implanted into its research cows.

Broadcast History

Podcast on July 8, 2011

Timing and Cues

00:00 Opening Credits
00:41 Introduction
01:31 Lactose Intolerance
05:40 Porthole Cows
12:50 Closing Credits

Additional Credits

Dustbowl Cowboy by Troy Sinister and the Cemetary Men used courtesy of Music Alley.

Triple Goodness - Foremost Dairies - Informational Film (1948) used courtesy of the Prelinger Archives

Related Website

http://www.chemheritage.org/distillations