Overview of Animal Science and Humanity Contributions

A set of Question-and-Answer flashcards covering the main concepts from the lecture notes on animal science and humanity contributions.

What is animal science?

The collective study of domestic animals.

What are the main specialties of animal science?

Genetics, Nutrition, Physiology, Animal Health, Ethology, Meat Science, Dairy Product Science, Biotechnology.

Where did animal science originate?

It began with hunter-gatherers who used animals for meat, bones, and skins.

What is the approximate global distribution of large farm animals and poultry?

About 4.9 billion large farm animals and 22.9 billion poultry worldwide.

In developing countries, what share of large farm animals versus meat, milk, and wool production do they hold?

Developing countries have over two-thirds of large farm animals but only about one-third of meat, milk, and wool production.

What percentage of total food energy is supplied by animal products?

17.7%.

What percentage of global protein consumption do animals provide?

About 40%.

Which animal protein sources contribute most to global protein supply, and what are their approximate shares?

Meat about 48.4%, Milk 26%, Fish 17%, Eggs 8.6%.

List other important contributions of animals beyond food.

Nutrient-dense foods, fiber and materials (wool, hair), fertilizer, draft power, biomedical research models, service animals.

What are the global nutrition disparities related to animal-product diets?

North America ~27.8% of calories from animal products; Africa ~8.4%; about 795 million people are undernourished globally.

How many veterinary schools are in the U.S., and how competitive is admission?

About 30–31 vet schools; roughly 30,000 applicants per year; about 100 students admitted per school.

When was the dog domesticated according to DNA and archaeology?

DNA evidence suggests up to 30,000 years ago; archaeological evidence around 14,000 years ago (about 12,000 B.C.).

Give estimated domestication dates for some domesticated animals.

Sheep 8000 B.C.; goats/pigs/cattle 6500 B.C.; chickens 6000 B.C.; llamas 5500 B.C.; donkeys 4000 B.C.; horses 3500 B.C.; reindeer 3000 B.C.

What sparked the origin of animal science as a discipline?

Hunter-gatherers began domesticating animals and managing/using them, which led to the development of animal science.

What is the role of draft animals in developing countries?

They serve as an important power source.

What does nutrient density mean?

A diet where foods provide many nutrients relative to calories, and those nutrients are digestible and readily available.

What share of global dietary energy comes from cereals and plant products vs. animal products?

Cereals account for about 45.16% of calories; plant products overall provide about 82.3% of energy; animal products provide about 17.7%.

What are some uses and by-products of animals in industry and agriculture?

Slaughter by-products used for industrial and consumer products; manure used as fertilizer; draft power; fibers like wool and hides.

How are animals used in biomedical research?

Animals are used as models for humans to study health and disease, improving animal health and livestock productivity and enabling therapies.

What is an example of animal-derived pharmaceuticals?

Pig-derived products (e.g., desiccated thyroid, heparin); Premarin from pregnant mare urine; glucosamine; chondroitin; gelatin capsules.

What is the key takeaway from the chapter's summary?

Animals are used for many purposes; their numbers are increasing; they are important in feeding the population and in human health research.

What factors are expected to affect the future of animal science?

Population growth, rising income in developing vs developed countries, and land-use considerations and solutions.

What percentage of undernourished people are there globally, according to the notes?

795 million.