Animal Science I – Core Vocabulary

A set of 50 English vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the introductory Animal Science lecture notes.

Economic utility derived from animals

The broad benefits humans obtain from animals, including food, security, work, medicine, companionship, sports, research, clothing, and other uses.

Food (animal utility)

The use of animals to provide edible products such as meat, milk, and eggs.

Protection / Security / Guide

The employment of animals—especially dogs—for guarding property, providing security, or guiding people with disabilities.

Power / Work

Using animals like oxen, buffalo, horses, and dogs to perform draft, transport, or labor tasks.

Medicine (animal-based)

Obtaining medicinal products from animals or using animals in biomedical testing and drug development.

Pets

Keeping animals such as dogs, cats, or parrots primarily for companionship and leisure.

Sports (animal)

Activities that involve animals—e.g., horse racing, dog racing, bird competitions—for recreation and competition.

Research (animal use)

The use of animals as experimental models to advance scientific and medical knowledge.

Clothing and aesthetic use

Harvesting animal products like wool, leather, or feathers for garments and decorative items.

Farm animals

Domesticated species raised for agricultural production, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, and others.

Cattle

Domesticated bovines without a hump (Bos taurus).

Buffalo

Domesticated water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), valued for draft power and milk.

Sheep

Wool-producing ruminant species (Ovis aries).

Goat

Small ruminant Capra hircus, kept for meat, milk, and fiber.

Pigs

Domesticated swine (Sus scrofa) raised mainly for meat production.

Horse

Equus caballus; domesticated equine used for riding, work, and sport.

Chicken

Gallus gallus domesticus; the most common poultry species worldwide.

Mallard duck

Anas platyrhynchos domestic form; a common domestic duck species.

Muscovy duck

Cairina moschata; a domesticated duck noted for lean meat.

Goose

Anser domesticus; domesticated geese raised for meat, eggs, and feathers.

Turkey

Meleagris gallopavo domesticus; large poultry species valued for meat.

Pigeon

Columba livia domestica; bird kept for meat (squab), sport, or hobby.

Guinea fowl

Numida meleagris; domesticated fowl known for flavorful meat and insect control.

Bull

Male breeding cattle of any age.

Cow

Mature female cattle that has given birth.

Steer

Male cattle castrated before reaching sexual maturity.

Heifer

Young female cattle under three years old that has not calved.

Stag (cattle)

Male cattle castrated after sexual maturity.

Bullock

Castrated mature male (often a stag) used primarily for draft work.

Calf

Young bovine of either sex under one year of age.

Proven sire

A bull with sufficient progeny data to demonstrate his genetic transmitting ability.

Broodmare

A female horse kept specifically for breeding purposes.

Stallion

Mature, intact male horse used for breeding or performance.

Gelding

Horse castrated while young, typically calmer and used for riding or work.

Foal

Young horse of either sex less than one year old.

Filly

Young female horse, usually up to three years of age.

Colt

Young male horse, usually up to three years of age.

Barrow

Male pig castrated before developing secondary sex characteristics.

Boar

Intact male pig of any age.

Gilt

Young female pig under one year old that has not yet farrowed.

Sow

Mature female pig that has given birth.

Litter (swine)

The group of piglets born to a sow in one farrowing.

Buck (Billy goat)

Male goat of any age kept for breeding.

Doe (goat)

Female goat of any age.

Ram

Male sheep used for breeding purposes.

Ewe

Female sheep of any age.

Kid

Young goat of either sex under one year old.

Lamb

Young sheep of either sex under one year old.

Capon

Male chicken surgically castrated (caponized), showing undeveloped comb and wattles.

Pullet

Female chicken less than one year old, not yet laying regularly.