What role does the udder play in dairy cattle?

The udder is a critical organ in dairy cattle, specifically designed for the storage of milk. During lactation, it serves as a reservoir for milk produced by the mammary glands. As the cow consumes nutrients and water, the food is transported to the udder to be converted into milk. When milk is produced, it accumulates in the udder until it is expelled during milking or suckling. This storage capacity is essential for both the cow’s offspring, as it provides nourishment, and for dairy farmers, who rely on the udder's function to collect milk for commercial use.

The other options do not align with the primary functions of the udder. Digestion of food occurs primarily in the stomach and intestines rather than in the udder. The udder is not involved in the production of sweat, which is a function of sweat glands found in the skin to help regulate body temperature. Similarly, while nutrients are absorbed from food in the digestive tract, that function is not applicable to the udder, which focuses specifically on milk production and storage.