ANSC 102 - Principles of Animal Nutrition (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and definitions from the ANSC 102 Principles of Animal Nutrition notes.

Nutrition

Science of how nutrients are obtained, digested, absorbed, and used to support life.

Nutrients

Feed constituents that support life; energy is not classified as a nutrient.

Nutrient

Any feed constituent or group of constituents that aids in the support of life.

Water

Major functions: digestion, transport, chemical reactions/solvent properties, waste excretion, and temperature regulation; sources include drinking water, feed, and metabolic water.

Carbohydrates

Products of photosynthesis; basic unit is glucose; main CHO in feeds; starch is readily digested; cellulose and hemicellulose are major plant fiber components.

Proteins

Polymers of amino acids; 20 amino acids; 10 can be formed in tissues; the rest must come from the diet; some rumen microbes can synthesize AA; about 16 g N per 100 g protein.

Amino Acids (AA)

Building blocks of proteins; some are synthesized by animals while others (essential AAs) must be supplied in the diet.

Lipids

Substances soluble in organic solvents; fats and oils; composed of glycerol and three fatty acids (triglycerides); fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated.

Fatty Acids

Components of lipids; exist as saturated or unsaturated forms.

Vitamins

Organic nutrients required in small quantities for normal metabolism; essential for life; deficiency symptoms can arise if absent; some exceptions in synthesis exist.

Niacin

Can be synthesized in some animals from tryptophan.

Vitamin C

Can be synthesized in most animals.

Vitamin D

Can be synthesized in animals exposed to sunlight.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Stored in fatty tissues; poorly excreted.

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Readily excreted in urine; poorly stored (except B12, which is stored by the liver).

Minerals

Inorganic nutrients; macrominerals vs. microminerals (trace elements); components of tissues and cofactors for enzymes.

Macrominerals

Major minerals required in larger amounts (e.g., Mg, P, Ca, Cl, Na, K, S; components of tissue structure).

Trace Elements (Microminerals)

Microminerals (e.g., Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mo, Se, I, Co, Cr) that act as enzyme activators or cofactors.

Ruminants

Compound-stomached animals with a rumen fermentation vat; microorganisms enable fermentation; anaerobic; about 39–41°C; pH ~6.9–7; ~80% of the stomach is rumen.

Non-ruminants (Monogastrics)

Simple-stomached animals (e.g., swine) and modified simple-stomached birds (e.g., poultry); some herbivores are herbivorous monogastrics (e.g., horse, rabbit).

Esophagus

Tube that transports feed from the mouth to the stomach.

Crop

Storage pouch in birds that is part of the modified simple-stomach.

Proventriculus

Glandular (true) stomach of birds where chemical digestion begins.

Gizzard

Muscular grinding stomach that mechanically breaks down feed.

Duodenum

First section of the small intestine; site of chemical digestion.

Jejunum

Middle section of the small intestine; primary site of nutrient absorption.

Ileum

Last section of the small intestine; absorbs bile acids and vitamin B12 among other nutrients.

Cecum (Ceca)

Pouch at the junction of the ileum and large intestine; paired in birds; fermentation and absorption occur here.

Large Intestine

Section of the digestive tract involved in water absorption and fermentation; includes the cecum and colon in many species.

Rectum

Final section of the large intestine before the anus.

Anus

Outlet for excretion from the digestive tract.

Rumen

Fermentation vat in ruminants; hosts microorganisms; anaerobic; ~39–41°C; pH ~6.9–7; comprises about 80% of the stomach.

Reticulum

About 5% of the bovine stomach; aids in trapping indigestible objects (hardware stomach).

Omasum

Approx. 7–8% of the bovine stomach; mainly absorbs water.

Abomasum

The true stomach of ruminants; about 7–8% of the stomach in mature animals and up to ~70% in young animals.

Roughages

Feed with more than 18% crude fiber; generally low in energy.

Concentrates

Feeds high in digestible nutrients and low in fiber (<18%).

Energy Feeds

Concentrates including cereal grains, milling by-products, fats and oils, tubers/root crops.

Protein Feeds

Feeds classified as animal protein feeds or plant protein feeds.

Feed Supplements

Additives such as amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support nutrition.

Nutrient Requirements

Energy requirement is a major nutritional need; at least 80% of total feed intake should provide calories; energy intake regulates feed consumption.

General Functions of Feed Nutrients

Three basic roles: structural material for body, source of energy, and regulators of body processes.

Carbohydrate Requirement for Pigs and Poultry

There is no separate dietary carbohydrate requirement for pigs and poultry.