Nutrients, Energy, & Water

What are nutrients?

Components of the diet that have specific functions in the body, including growth, tissue maintenance, and optimal health

What are essential nutrients?

Nutrients that cannot be synthesized by the body at the rate needed and therefore must be included in the diet

What are nonessential nutrients?

Nutrients that can be synthesized by the body

What are the 6 major nutrient categories?

Water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals

Why must energy needs be met first?

Once energy requirements are met, nutrients can be used for other metabolic functions

What percentage of dietary dry matter may be used for energy?

About 50-80%

Which nutrients can supply energy?

Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats

What is oxidation?

A process in which a substance combines with oxygen and loses electrons

What major energy-containing compound is produced during metabolism?

ATP or adenosine triphosphate

What are anabolic reactions?

Reactions that require energy

What are catabolic reactions?

Reactions that release energy

What is gross energy?

The total potential energy contained in a diet

How is gross energy determined?

By burning food in a bomb calorimeter and measuring the total heat produced

Where can dietary energy be lost?

Feces, urine, gases/respiration, and heat production

What is digestible energy?

Energy remaining after subtracting energy lost in feces

What does digestible energy represent?

The amount of energy the body can absorb from food

What is metabolizable energy?

The amount of energy actually available to tissues for use

What determines the metabolizable energy of a diet?

The nutrient composition of the diet and the animal consuming it

What are the 3 methods for determining metabolizable energy?