Animal Nutrition Quiz 1

potential quiz questions

What is nutrition?

The sum of all processes by which an organism takes in and assimilates food and water for maintenance, growth, and reproduction

Who first linked diet to health around 400 B.C.?

Hippocrates

What discovery in 1747 helped prevent scurvy?

Citrus fruits

Why is animal nutrition important?

It affects animal health, welfare, growth, reproduction, and the quality of animal products.

What is a nutrient?

A component found in feed that is essential to support life and contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

What is the difference between essential and non-essential nutrients?

• Essential nutrients must come from the diet

• Non-essential nutrients can be synthesized by the body

Give an example of an essential nutrient.

Essential amino acids or essential fatty acids.

Why are some nutrients considered non-essential in ruminants?

Because rumen microbes can synthesize them.

Define metabolism.

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within each cell.

What is anabolism?

The building or deposition of tissue

What is catabolism?

The breakdown or degradation of tissue.

What does maintenance energy include?

Basal metabolism, muscle work, and temperature regulation.

What is growth?

An increase in body weight or size, including changes in body composition.

What is hyperplasia?

Increase in cell (muscle fiber) number.

What is hypertrophy?

Increase in cell (fiber) size.

When does hyperplasia primarily occur?

In utero

Why is neonatal nutrition important?

It has a large effect on later growth and muscle development.

How does pregnancy affect nutrient requirements?

Nutrient and energy requirements increase

Why does lactation increase water intake?

Milk production requires large amounts of water and energy.

What is voluntary feed intake?

The amount of food an animal voluntarily consumes.

Name factors affecting voluntary feed intake

Nutrient demand, body size, palatability, environment, fiber content.

What happens to feed intake when an animal becomes satiated?

It decreases

What is feed efficiency?

A measure of how well an animal converts feed into product.

Why is feed efficiency important economically?

Feed is the largest cost in animal production.

What does ad libitum mean?

Free-choice access to feed.

What does “as-fed” mean?

Feed as it is eaten, including water content.

What are forages?

Plant parts other than separated grains (hay, pasture, silage).

What are concentrates?

Feedstuffs high in energy, such as grains.

What is a ration?

The 24-hour feed allowance for an animal.

What is a balanced ration?

A diet that meets all nutrient needs without limiting health or performance.

What is a total mixed ration (TMR)?

A fully mixed diet where all ingredients are known and balanced.

What are villi and where are they found?

Finger-like projections in the small intestine that aid absorption.

What are papillae and where are they found?

Finger-like projections in the rumen that aid absorption.

Name accessory GI organs.

Liver, gallbladder, pancreas.

Define digestion.

Mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into usable substances.

Define absorption

Passage of nutrients from the GI tract into the bloodstream.

List the five nutritional processes in order.

Ingestion → Mastication → Digestion → Absorption → Elimination

Why is water considered the most essential nutrient?

Animals can survive longer without food than without water.

What percent loss of body water can be fatal?

10-15%

What makes water a good solvent?

It is polar and forms hydrogen bonds.

Name major functions of water in the body.

Transport of nutrients and waste, temperature regulation, dilution of body fluids.

Why must water be constantly replaced?

It cannot be stored in the body.

What part of the brain regulates thirst?

hypothalamus

Where does net water absorption occur?

Rumen, omasum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and colon.

Where does net water secretion occur?

Mouth, stomach, duodenum, and abomasum.

Name factors that affect water requirements.

Dry matter intake, temperature, water in feed, milk production, sodium levels.

How does high protein intake affect water needs?

It increases water loss through urine. Protein increases urea production.

What are the three main components of body water?

Intracellular fluid, interstitial fluid, plasma.

What is metabolic water?

Water produced during nutrient oxidation

How does fiber intake affect fecal water loss?

Higher fiber increases fecal water content.

What is insensible water loss?

Loss through skin and lungs via evaporation.

How does lactation affect water loss?

It significantly increases water loss. Milk is comprised of mostly water.

Why is water quality important in animal production?

Poor water quality reduces feed intake and animal health.

What is the ideal pH range for livestock water?

7–8 (acceptable range 6–9).

What should water be tested for?

Nitrates, sulfates, bacteria, pH, salinity, pesticides.

What is the ideal salinity level for livestock water?

Less than 1,000 mg/L.

What condition is associated with high sulfate water in cattle?

Polioencephalomalacia.

List two symptoms of polioencephalomalacia

Blindness and aimless wandering.