AN SCI 200 Exam 1

What are aquarium fundamental factors?

Correct feeding, right temperature, water quality, liberal water surface

(light is the LEAST important)

True or false: an aquarium should be in direct sunlight

False (can het up or grow algae — not good)

3 types of aquarium filtration

1. Mechanical (gravel, wool, floss, etc.)

2. Chemical (activated charcoal usually)

3. Biological (bacteria — removes waste from water or converts waste to different thing (most important)

What kind of water should you use in an aquarium?

Tap water

What decorations should you NOT use in an aquarium

Coral, limestone, marble, metals , decaying plants (limestone and marble will break down and change water pH) (decaying plants consume O2 and add waste)

True or false: Beneficial bacteria “eats” toxic ammonia

True (and they also produce waste in form of Nitrite)

True or false: Ammonia is toxic to fish

True

True or false: Nitrite is toxic to fish

True (but NOT as toxic as Ammonia)

Partial water change

Take ½ - 1/3 of the water in the aquarium and replace with fresh water

Why should fish be added a few at a time (then wait a FEW WEEKS before adding more)?

It gives biological filtration time to multiply to handle excess waste production

True or false: “old” fish should be fed before adding new fish to tank

True

Nutrition cycle (super simple)

Consumption —> digestion —> excretion

What happens to consumed food?

Some of it is digested, the food that is digested is used for heat (some animals) maintenance, etc. Rest is excreted as waste

Proteins

thousands of kinds and functions, made of amino acids

Essential amino acids

Must be supplied in the diet (are not produced by animal)

True or false: Protein is more important in young growing animals than older ones

True

Fats

Delivery vehicle for fat-soluble vitamins (2.25x more energy than carbohydrates, fat is a more dense type of energy)

True or false: Carbohydrates are essential in a diet

False: non are technically essential (no such thing as a carbs deficiency)

(Carbs are a common cheap source of energy (ex. corn, rice, wheat))

Functions of water

Shape and structure; transporting nutrients and wastes; solvent for chemical reactions; heat regulation

Calorie

The energy required to increase to the temperature of 1 mL of water by 1C

True or false: Energy is supplied by fats, carbs, and proteins

True

What happens when protein is used for energy, rather than as a protein (building muscle, etc)

Some parts are excreted, used for energy and/or stored for later

What happens to the extra protein if more protein is fed than the animal needs? (2 parts to this answer)

1. Proteins broken down into amino acids — body uses amino acids if needed

2. If amino acids are NOT needed, they are broken down further

2a. Parts are used for energy (either immediately or stored as fat)

2b. Parts are excreted in urine (nitrogenous waste)

Should you drink lots of water on a high protein diet?

Yes — kidneys need more water to flush out excess nitrogen

Function of the mouth

Chew foods; saliva with enzymes that break down food in mouth

Function of esophagus

Is a tube that goes from mouth to stomach

Function of stomach

Stomach acid; enzymes; storage; some mixing

Function of small intestine

Finishes breaking down food and absorbs most of the nutrients

Function of the pancreas

Produces many digestive enzymes

Function of the liver

Produces bile

Function of the large intestine (colon)

Water resorption

Why should fish have a highly digestable diet?

Less tank clean up, less problems with nutrient cycling, have as little waste as possible

How much to feed adult fish?

What they will eat in about 5 mins, once a day

How much to feed juvenile fish?

What they will eat in 3 mins, 3 times a day

True or false: Juvenile fish are called “fry”

True