Animal Science Unit 1

Animal Science

the combination of disciplines that together comprise of the study of domestic animals

domestic animals

those species that have been brought under human control and that have adapted to life w/ humans

adaptation

the sum of changes an animal makes in response to its environment to survive

religion

strongly influences which animals are raised, consumed, or protected

primitive agriculture

entire population produces its own food, hand labor

subsistence agriculture

half of population engaged in farming, little mechanization and much hand/animal labor

developed agriculture

small portion of population engaged in farming, highly specialized & mechanized

consolidation

few companies produce majority of poultry, eggs, pork in the US

dorsal

nearer the back of the animal than

ventral

nearer the belly of the animal than

cranial

nearer to the skull than

caudal

nearer to the tail than

proximal

closer to the body than (only used for structures on limbs)

distal

further from the body than (only used for structures on limbs)

medial

nearer to the midline than

lateral

further from the midline than

rostral

towards the muzzle

palmar

the “walking” surface of the front paw

plantar

the “walking” surface of the hind paw

behavior

an action or group of actions performed by an animal in response to internal or external stimuli

applied ethology

study of the behavior of animals managed by humans

proximate

individual; sensory-motor (how do nerve cells, hormones, & muscles control behavior) genetic developmental (how does the behavior develop within the individual’s life)

ultimate

species; evolutionary history (how did previous generations contribute to shaping behavior) adaptive function (how does the behavior help the animal survive & reproduce)

fitness

how successful an individual is at reproducing

artificial selection

selective breeding to produce animals with more desirable traits

natural selection

reproductive success is determined by nature (not intentional)

relaxed selection

change in an animal’s environment eliminates or weakens a source of selection that was formerly important for the maintenance of a particular trait

contractarian view

because animals can’t enter into mutual, contractual agreements, we have, at most, indirect ethical obligations to them

utilitarian view

we have direct ethical obligations towards animals, and we should maximize benefits vs. costs for both people and animals

relational view

we have direct ethical obligations toward animals, based on our relationships with the animals

respect for nature view

we have direct ethical obligations toward animals, and we should protect the integrity of a species

animal rights view

we have direct ethical obligations toward animals, and it is never justifiable to sacrifice the interests of an animal to benefit another animal or human

animal welfare

a hidden target for measurement of an animal’s subjective mental state

sustainable intensification

producing more food on the same or less land, with fewer inputs per unit of output

food security

availability, access, utilization, stability

hypoxia

low concentration of dissolved oxygen

animal health

a state of complete physical and psychological well-being, normal biological function, and the ability to reproduce and cope w/ environmental changes

disease

any state other than a state of complete health

pathology

the study of the nature of diseases and structural and functional changes produced by them

etiology

the cause of disease or the study of the cause of disease

clinical signs

symptoms the animal exhibits that are different from normal function

noninfectious diseases

not caused by infectious organisms (ex: injury, poor nutrition, allergies, arthritis, genetic causes, toxins, aging-related)

infectious diseases

caused by infectious agents (ex: microorganisms, opportunistic organisms, pathogens, parasites, prions)

contagious

transmitted from animal to animal

noncontagious

can’t be spread directly from one animal to another (ex: new world screwworm, tetanus, botulism)

zoonotic diseases

infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans

clinical

infectious disease in which clinical signs are expressed

subclinical

no observable signs of disease are present

acute

sudden or severe in onset and effect on the animal

chronic

continuing over a long period or having a gradual effect

diagnosis

the process of determining the nature & severity of a disease, distinguishing one disease from another

barriers

first line of defense: skin, mucous membranes, linings of digestive & respiratory tracts

innate immunity

fast, non-specific: white blood cells, plasma proteins, antimicrobial peptides, tear glands, inflammation

adaptive immunity

specific, long-lasting: humoral (antibodies) & cell-mediated (lymphocytes) immunity, basis for vaccination

GALT

gut-associated lymphoid tissue, located in small intestines

passive immunity

transferred from mother to offspring via placenta or colostrum

active immunity

vaccination, exposure to infectious agent

labeled use

using drug exactly as specified on label

off label

producer uses drugs in own manner other than what is stated on label, without vet guidance

extra label

the vet prescribes a drug to be used in a manner other than what’s on the label

subcutaneous

under the skin but on top of muscle layer

intramuscular

into a major muscle mass

intraperitoneal

in the abdominal cavity

intravenous

in the vein

intranasal

in the nasal passages

orally

through the mouth

topical

on the skin or mucous membranes

genetics

study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living organisms

genomics

study of the entirety of an organism’s genetic material (DNA), studies overarching concept

application of gene editing

transfer naturally occurring variants from one breed or line to another

nucleoside

base + sugar

nucleotide

base + sugar + phosphate

DNA polymerase

an enzyme that forms the sugar-phosphate bond between adjacent nucleotides

heredity

the transmission of genetic characters from parents to offspring

inheritance

the genetic characters passed from parents to offspring

phenotype

the state of that trait (ex: trait coat color is either black or red)

genotype

an individual’s pair of alleles

incomplete dominance

intermediate phenotype

overdominance

heterozygote superior to either homozygote parent

codominance

effect of both alleles evident in heterozygotes

simple monogastric

one-stomached animals

ruminants

have a rumen and chew their cud

hindgut fermenters

have an enlarged cecum

nutrition

the process by which animals obtain & utilize nutrients

nutrient

a substance in the diet that supports the normal functions of the body

carbohydrates

primary source of energy in livestock diets

non-essential nutrient

nutrients that can be taken out of the diet without resulting in any adverse health consequences

vitamins

organic molecules that are needs in very small amounts for different physiological functions

minerals

inorganic compounds needed by animals

Forage/roughage

if a feed contains greater than or equal to 18% crude fiber

Concentrate

if a feed contains less than 18% crude fiber

energy feed

if a feed’s crude protein is less than 20%

protein supplement

if the crude protein is greater than or equal to 20%

forage

fiber-containing feed & contains at least 18% fiber but has high digestible energy

roughage

bulky feedstuff with low weight per unit volume and contains at least 18% fiber but is less digestible than forages

pasture

forages and crops harvested by the animal (grazing)

green chop

forages that are harvested & fed fresh to livestock

nonnutritive additives

ingredients added to rations for some reason other than their nutritive value

digestibility

the degree to which a feedstuff can be digested and absorbed by the digestive system of an animal