· Protein

Protein

The principle component of organs and soft tissues in the animal body, composed of 53% C, 7% H, 23% O, 16% N,

Amino Acids

Units that make up proteins, with more than 200 naturally occurring amino acids, but only 20 commonly found in most proteins.

Protein Functions

Proteins serve as the basic structural units of the body, including collagen, elastin, contractile, keratin, and blood proteins. They also play roles in body metabolism, acting as enzymes, hormones, immune antibodies, and in hereditary transmission.

Vitamins

Organic compounds required in small quantities for normal body functions, divided into fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) and water-soluble vitamins.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E, and K, which can be stored in body tissues and allow for consumption of deficient diets over a longer period of time before signs of deficiencies appear.

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins that are not stored in appreciable amounts in body tissues, except for B12, and play a crucial role as metabolic catalysts.

Minerals

Inorganic, solid, crystalline substances that make up 3-5% of the animal body dry weight, with calcium (Ca) comprising half of the total, phosphorus (P) a quarter, and other minerals making up the remaining quarter.

General Functions of Minerals

Minerals are involved in skeletal makeup and development, protein synthesis, oxygen transport, fluid balance, acid-base regulation, and serve as components and activators of enzyme systems.

Natural Sources of Minerals

Forage crops and cereal grains are natural sources of minerals, with forage crops generally being a good source and the mineral content of cereal grains varying.