Animal Nutrition

Major macronutrients

• Proteins

• Carbohydrates

• Lipids

Carbohydrates

• Main source of energy (Largest component in most diets)

• Easily / quickly used energy source

• Can be either single sugar molecules (simple) or chains of sugar molecules (complex)

• Animals cannot make their own and thus rely on plants as they can

  • Potatoes, Bread, Corn, Rice, Fruits, Sugars

Monosaccharides

• One sugar ring (Simple)

• Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) ; found in all cells of your body and is a primary energy source

• Monosaccharide molecules are small enough to be absorbed by your body cells

Dissaccharides

• 2 monosaccharides together

• Most be chemically broken down into monosaccharides to be absorbed

• Sucrose (table sugar) / Lactose (in milk)

Polysaccharides

• Complex carbohydrates - chain of sugars

• Must be broken down into single sugar units for absorption

• Starch / Cellulose / Glycogen

Fiber in the diet

• Cellulose is ‘fiber’ in the diet

• Cannot be digested so it adds bulk to waste and aids in the elimination of waste

Herbivore DIgestion

• Animals that eat mostly cellulose rely on bacteria / protista in the digestive tract

• The microorganisms have enzymes that can break the bonds between the glucose molecules in cellulose

Lipids (Fats and Oils)

• Most are triglycerides consisting of a Glycerol molecule joined to 3 Fatty Acid chains

• Triglycerides are broken down into fatty acids and glycerol during digestion

• Functions ; Excess energy storage, Insulation / Protection, Signalling, Cell Membrane component

Proteins

• Made of amino acids joined together

• 20 different amino acids that make up all proteins

• 8 amino acids are essential and must be in our diet

  • Methionine, Plenylalanine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Valine, Leucine, Tryoptophan, Lysine

Macromolecules + Monomer

• Carbohydrates → Monosaccharides

• Lipids → Glycerol + Fatty acids

• Proteins → Amino acids