Final Exam Flashcards
What are at least 2 biological advantages that the ruminant gastrointestinal tract provides compared to the non-ruminant digestive system
VFA production
Digest more materials than a nonruminant can- can use stuff monogastrics cannot
Provide at least 4 defining characteristics of ruminant animals
split hooves
herbivores
different teeth- no upper incisors
have a rumen/ pre-gastric stomach
What are the 5 sacs of the rumen and what biological advantage do they provide compared to if the rumen was a single continuous compartment
Ventral
Ventral blind
dorsal
dorsal blind
cranial
these sacs allow for better digestion as they increase the time food is caught in the rumen
What are 2 factors that influence digestion of feed in ruminants
rate of passage
rate of fermentation
What are 2 examples of fermentation end products that are not directly useful to ruminant animals
methane
carbon dioxide
Ruminant species have different grazing strategies and differences in grazing strategies often related to body size. Why?
The smaller the animal is, the smaller their rumen will be. This means they will have to eat certain foods that can be digested quicker since there is less room for it to hang out
What are the 3 different grazing strategies utlilized by ruminant species and describe how they differ from each other
Browse- leaves and berries- goat
Grazing- less picky- eating the grass and forage- cattle
Intermediate- eat a bit of both, leaves, berries, grass, etc.- sheep
List 3 short-chain fatty acids produced in the rumen that account for almost all organic acids produced from ruminal fermentation. Which short-chain fatty acid is typically found in the greatest amount
Butyrate
propionate
Acetate- found in the greatest amount
What nutrients can be metabolized from food to provide energy to ruminants
proteins
lipids
carbohydrates
What is the standard unit of energy used in the United States in reference to dietary energy concentrations in cattle diets
Mcal- because cows require so many more calories it is easier to use this larger unit
What fraction of energy in a food represents the heat of combustion
gross energy
What energy losses describe the difference in metabolizable energy and the heat of combustion
fecal
gaseous
urinary
What form of energy loss represents the difference between net energy and metabolizable energy
heat losses
Illustrate the partial efficiency of energy use from fasting (no food intake) to ad libitum for a rapidly growing beef steer. Identify there maintenance energy requirements are met
Graph 1 on Notability document
Explain why energy is of increasing importance for growth in cattle after the typical age for weaning
After weaning their main energy source is through fats/lipids given to them in feed. This is important for growth/performance
How are energy values derived in most feed libraries
TDN
What do measures of TDN reflect
energy
How can TDN be calculated if one knows the digestible nutrients in a feed
digestible carbohydrates+ digestible protein+ digestible fats times 2.25=TDN
What is the inherent flaw in calculations of TDN
It assumes that carbs and protein are equal
What is an example of an inaccuracy that results from the flaw in calculations of TDN
TDN being more than 100%
If TDN is flawed, then why is it still commonly used in reference to feed ingredients for ruminants
It is easy to use
can do it in a lab with calculations and no animals
How is energy related to predictions of dry matter intake
Energy drives dry matter intake
Empty body weight gain (EWG) can be predicted using the below model equation. In this model equation what is EQEBW and what does it reflect
Equivalent empty body weight
shows physiological maturity
what dietary components contributes the most to determining predictions of body weight gains in cattle be specific
retained energy
How are energy requirements for lactation determined in ruminants
all of their energy should go into milk so you can measure the components of the milk to determine them
Name and describe the 3 forms of starch discussed in class
Amylose- plant starch
Amylopectin- plant starch
Glycogen- animal starch
What are 3 functions of carbohydrates
Provide energy
building blocks for other stuff
heat production
What is the main difference in the chemical structure between starch and cellulose
Their linkage alpha vs. beta
animals cannot break down beta linkages