Animal Behavior, Genetics, and Reproductive Anatomy: Key Concepts for Biology and Veterinary Studies

Ingestive behavior

Behavior related to eating, including physical eating and social behaviors around food.

Investigative behavior

Exploring the environment to gain beneficial information.

Competitive behavior

Competition between animals over access to a resource.

Allelomimetic behavior

When one animal performing a behavior increases the likelihood nearby animals will do the same.

Dominance hierarchy

Established social order that stabilizes groups and reduces aggression.

Stereotypy

Repetitive behavior with no obvious goal or function that is difficult to stop.

6 Major Nutrients

Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Vitamins, Minerals, Water.

Fat-soluble vitamins

A (vision), D (calcium absorption), E (antioxidant), K (blood clotting).

Water-soluble vitamins

B-complex (DNA formation & metabolism), C (immune support).

Macrominerals

Calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, potassium, chloride.

Microminerals

Iron, zinc, copper, selenium, iodine.

Roughages

High fiber, low energy feeds such as hay and legumes.

Concentrates

Low fiber, high energy/protein feeds such as grains.

Essential amino acids

Cannot be synthesized by animals; must be obtained from diet.

Genetics

Study of inheritance.

Heredity

Passing traits from parents to offspring.

Genotype

Genetic makeup of an organism.

Phenotype

Observable traits of an organism.

Chromosome

Paired DNA structure carrying genes.

Gene

DNA coding segment.

Allele

Different form of a gene.

Homozygous

Two identical alleles (AA or aa).

Heterozygous

Two different alleles (Aa).

Mendelian genetics

3:1 inheritance pattern predictable using allele letters.

Inheritance

Offspring receive half of their alleles from each parent.

Heritability

Proportion of phenotypic variation due to genetics.

Qualitative trait

Categorical trait such as coat color.

Quantitative trait

Trait influenced by multiple genes such as milk production.

Inbreeding

Breeding closely related animals.

Linebreeding

Breeding to maintain desired traits while minimizing defects.

Crossbreeding

Breeding two different breeds.

Outbreeding

Breeding unrelated animals.

Hybrid vigor (heterosis)

Crossbred offspring perform better than both parents.

Testes

Produce sperm.

Scrotum

Holds testes and regulates temperature.

Epididymis

Site of sperm maturation.

Ductus deferens

Transports sperm to urethra.

Penis

Organ of copulation; includes root, body, glans.

Sigmoid flexure

S-shaped bend in ruminants when penis is not erect.

Cryptorchid

One or both testes fail to descend.

Spermatogenesis

Formation of sperm cells.

Pampiniform plexus

Countercurrent heat exchange system regulating testicular temperature.

Testosterone

Primary male reproductive hormone regulated by HPG axis.

Ovary

Produces eggs and reproductive hormones.

Oviduct

Site of fertilization.

Cervix

Lower narrow portion of uterus.

Bicornuate uterus

Type of uterus found in cows.

Simplex uterus

Type of uterus found in humans.

Duplex uterus

Type of uterus found in rabbits.

Estrus

Standing heat when female is ready to breed.

Estrous cycle

Entire reproductive cycle (~21 days average).

Anestrous

No reproductive cycle.

Polyestrous

Multiple regular cycles.

Diestrus (dogs)

Two cycles per year.

Monoestrous

One cycle per year.

Cattle gestation

9 months.

Sheep gestation

5 months.

Horse gestation

11 months.

Pig gestation

3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days.

Goat gestation

5 months.

Diffuse placenta

Microvilli throughout attachment.

Zonary placenta

Band-shaped attachment.

Cotyledonary placenta

Attachment at specific uterine sites.

Discoid placenta

Single disc-shaped attachment.

Calving

Parturition term for cattle.

Farrowing

Parturition term for swine.

Lambing

Parturition term for sheep.

Kidding

Parturition term for goats.

Foaling

Parturition term for horses.

Whelping

Parturition term for dogs.

Kittening

Parturition term for cats.