Carbohydrates and protein Flashcards
What are the primary energy nutrients?
Carbohydrates and lipids
- Carnivores have high lipid and low carb
- Herbivores have high carb and low lipid
Which part of a plant needs to be broken down by microbes?
Cell walls - to yield VFA’s
What effect does feeding increased FME (by providing cereals) have on fermentation?
Increases the rate of fermentation
What is the effect on the rumen of producing large quantities of VFA’s?
Reduced the pH
Where are VFA’s absorbed and transported to?
- Reticulorumen wall
- Omasum
- Transported to the liver
What happens during rumen acidosis?
If pH falls too low bacteria form lactate instead of propionate
When is gastric acid synthesis increased?
Following cereal meals and the products of digestion further depress gastric pH
What are the two essential functions of fibre in cattle diets?
- stimulate cudding
- form a rumen fibre mat to trap small particles for digestion
What are the direct effects of a high fibre diet?
- reduces gastric ulceration
- reduced stereotypies
- reduces dental overgrowth
- improves digestibility
What are some indirect nutritional effects of fibre?
- alters food intake
- alters digesta transit time
- alters fermentation rates
- effects microflora
- alters digestive secretions
- alters milk fat
- alters water intake
Which amino acid is required by many species for maximum growth rates?
Arginine
Which amino acid do cats have a high dietary requirement for?
Taurine
What is crude protein?
The total protein content of a feed
Where in all mammals is protein digested and absorbed?
Small intestine
What is the only factor limiting protein metabolism in ruminants?
Availability of nitrogen
