Glossary Terms A+B Flashcards
Abomasum
One of the stomach components of ruminant animals that corresponds to the true stomach of monogastric animals.
Abortion
To give birth before the fetus is viable.
Absorption
The process whereby nutrients and other materials are taken through the walls of the digestive tract and into the blood.
Active immunity
The type of immunity in animals where the animal plays a part in the development of that immunity.
Acute
Usually refers to a disease that runs a short, severe course.
Adipose
Refers to the fat-filled cells of connective tissue.
Ad libitum
Allowing animals to eat all they want at all times.
Adrenalin
One of the hormones produced by the medulla of the adrenal glands; it is also called epinephrine. It helps in preparing the body for emergency actions.
Aerobic
refers to organisms and biochemical reactions that require oxygen
Afterbirth
The membranes of pregnancy (extra-fetal) which are expelled following parturition.
Agnostic behavior
Combat or fighting behavior which includes defense (submission), offense (aggression), escape, and passiveness.
Air dry
Refers to feedstuffs that have been allowed to dry in the atmosphere; they usually contain between 5 and 15 percent water.
Albumin
Also spelled albumen. The white of an egg; a type of protein
Allantochorion
The name applied to the extra-fetal membrane resulting from the fusion of the allantois and the chorion.
Allantois
One of the three extra-fetal membranes; located between the amnion and the chorion.
Alleles
Genes-occupying corresponding loci in homologous chromosomes that affect the same hereditary trait but in a different way. Alternative forms of the same gene.
Allelomimetic behavior
Doing the same thing
Allergy
A rather severe reaction that results from the introduction of antigens into the body.
Alveolus
A microscopic saclike structure found in the lungs and the mammary glands
Amino acid
An organic acid in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms has been replaced by the amino group (-NH2). Amino acids are the building clocks in the formation of proteins.
Amnion
The extra-fetal membrane located nearest the fetus; it is filled with amniotic fluid to protect the fetus from shock.
Ampulla
A funnel-shaped structure located at or near the end of a duct; the part of the fallopian tube between the infundibulum and the isthmus; a part of the vascular deferent where it joins the urethra in some species.
Amylase
A starch-digesting enzyme
Anabolic
A constructive or “building up” process
Anaerobic
Usually refers to an organism or biochemical reactions that does not require oxygen
Anatomy
The science of the structure of the animal body and the relation of its parts.
Ancestor
An individual from whom an animal or person is descended.
Androgen
A male sex hormone, such as testosterone
Anemia
A deficiency of hemoglobin, iron, or red blood cells.
Anesthesia
Loss of sensation brought about by drugs, disease, or other factors.
Anestrus
The nonbreeding season; the period of time when a female is not cycling
Anterior
Situated in front of, or towards the front part of, a point of reference. Towards the head end of an animal
Anthelmintic
A drug or chemical agent used to kill or remove internal parasites
Antibiotic
A product produced by living organisms, such as yeast, which destroys or inhibits the growth of other organisms, especially bacteria.
Antibody
A substance synthesized by the body to counteract the effect of foreign substances (antigens) that enter the body.
Antigen
A foreign substance, usually protein, that when present in the blood causes the production of an antibody that is antagonistic to it.
Antihormone
An antibody like substance developed when protein hormones are injected into an animal over a period of time. Antihormones inactivate hormones.
Antiseptic
Refers to substances or procedures that prevent the growth and reproduction of microorganisms.
Antiserum
A serum that contains antibodies, which is used to treat or temporarily prevent certain infectious diseases
Antrum
The cavity in a hollow organ or structure such as the cavity inside a developing follicle
Appendage
An attachment to something larger; a leg or limb
Arteriosclerosis
A disease involving the thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries
Artery
A blood vessel that functions in carrying blood from the heart
Artificial insemination
The introduction of semen into the reproductive tract (usually the cervix or uterus) of the female by a technician.
Artificial vagina
A device used to collect semen from a male while he mounts in a normal manner to copulate. The male ejaculates into this device, which simulates the vagina of the female in pressure, temperature, and sensation to the penis.
Artiodactyla
The zoological order of mammals that includes hoofed animals with an even number of toes such as cattle, sheep, and swine.
Aseptic
Free from living infectious or otherwise microorganisms
Asexual
Without sex
Assimilation
The process- of converting food nutrients to body tissue
Atheroma
A fatty degeneration of the inner walls of arteries.
Atherosclerosis
A disease involving the fatty degeneration of the inner walls of the arteries; a form of arteriosclerosis
Atrophy
A decrease in size of tissue, organ, or other body part
Autopsy
A post mortem examination involving the dissection of a body to learn the cause of death
Autonomies
All chromosomes other than sex chromosomes
Avian
Refers to birds, the call Aves
Axon
The long fiber of a nerve cell that carries nerve impulses away from the central nervous system.
Bacterium
One of a group of one-called round, rod-shaped, spiral, or filamentous microscopic organisms
Balanced ration
The daily food allowance for one animal prepared to include all of the required nutrients in the required proportions.
Barred
A trait in chickens involving the alternating white and dark strips on the feathers.
Barren
Unable to produce offspring
Barrow
A male pig castrated before reaching sexual maturity
Basal metabolism
The chemical changes that occur in an animal’s body when the animal is in a thermoneutral environment, resting, and in a postabsorptive state. It is usually determined by measuring oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.
Beef
The meat from cattle (bovine species) other than calves (the meat from calves is called veal)
Behavior
The reaction of an animal to internal and external stimuli, which is an attempt by the animal to adjust or adapt to the situation
Bile
A substance produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder; it functions in physically breaking down fat globules into smaller ones making it easier for them to be digested.
Biologicals
Pharmaceutical products used especially to diagnose and treat diseases.
Biotechnology
The use of microorganisms, plant cells, animal cells, or part of cells (such as enzymes) to produce industrially important products or processes.
Biological value
A measure of the utilization of nitrogen by the body; the proportion of absorbed nitrogen that is utilized; a measure of protein quality
Bloat
A swelling of the rumen caused by an accumulation of gas
Blood spots
Spots in the eggs caused by rupture of one or more blood vessels in the yolk follicle at the time of ovulation
Boar
A male pig
Bonus
A soft, rounded mass of chewed food; a large pill
Bomb calorimeter
An apparatus used to measure the amount of heat given off by any combustible substance
Bovine
Refers to cattle
Boxed beef
Cuts of beef put in boxes for shipping from packing plants to retailers. These primal and subprimal cuts are intermediate cuts between carcass and retail cuts.
Bran
A kind of feed made from the seed coat of wheat or other cereals
Break joint
Denotes a lamb carcass where the foot and pattern are removed at the cartilaginous junction of the front leg.
Breech
The buttocks. A breech presentation at birth is one in which the rear portion of the fetus is presented first.
Breed
A group of animals with certain common characteristics that distinguish them from others of the same species, and which they tend to transmit with reasonable consistency.
Broad ligament
The connnective tissue in the abdominal cavity that supports the reproductive tract in a mammal.
Broiler
A young chicken of either sex (usually 9 to 12 weeks of age) that is tender melted and has smooth-textured skin and flexible breast-bone cartilage
Brood
A group of baby chicks
Bloodiness
The nature or quality of a hen that causes her to want to set on a nest of eggs
Brucellosis
A bacterial disease of domestic mammals caused by a bacillus which results in abortions; also called Bang’s disease.
Buck
A male sheep, goat, deer, or rabbit
Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) gland
An accessory gland of the male that secretes a fluid which constitutes a portion of the semen.
Bulky
Refers to a substance that has a relatively small weight per unit of volume
Bull
A male of cattle species
Bullock
A steer
Burro
A donkey
Butter
A rather solid collection of fat globules obtained from churning cream and used for food.
Buttermilk
The fluid that remains after butter has been obtained from cream by the churning process; cultured buttermilk is made from skim milk by adding certain kinds of bacteria that produce the characteristic buttermilk flavors.
By-product
A product of considerably less value than the major product. For example in the US meat animals, the hide, pelt, and offal are by-products, whereas the meat is the major product.
