Introduction, properties and functions of nutrients Flashcards
Define nutrition
science that interprets the interaction of nutrients and other substances in food that influence the maintenance, growth, development, reproduction and health of animals
what does nutrition include
- food/feed intake (+ feeding behavior)
- digestion, absorption, assimilation, metabolism of nutrients
- excretion of metabolites
define nutrient
compounds in food essential for life and health
function of nutrients
- provide energy for physiological processes
- building blocks for repair and growth
what are the origins of most nutrients
plant origin (can be direct or indirect)
what is the importance of animal nutrition
most animal feed is unsuitable for human consumption
- pastures: areas not adequate for agriculture
- recycling: distillers grains, corn screenings
transformation to high quality food (suitable for humans)
3 steps of nutrient transformation
- food intake
- digestion, absorption, assimilation and metabolism of nutrients
- excretion of metabolites
metabolism
comprises all chemical reactions in living organisms to generate energy, building blocks and elimination of waste at a cellular level
catabolism
degradation/ breakdown compounds/ nutrients = energy/ building blocks
is catabolism exergonic or endergonic
exergonic reactions (release energy, including heat)
define anabolism
constructs molecules from smaller units
is anabolism exergonic or endergonic
endergonic
does anabolism use ATP
yes, endergonic reactions use energy/ATP
what does anabolism do
builds tissues = growth
what is anabolism powered by
catabolism
what contributes to diet formulation in practice
animal requirement for nutrients, proxies and feed composition (feed analysis)
what do nutritional requirements depend on
each individual animal’s specific and unique genome, its environment and its stage in life
how much of the diet is allotted for energy
80% - is a major nutritional need
how much of the diet is allotted for protein
<20%
how are nutritional requirements determined
under controlled environment/ ideal conditions
examples of how nutritional requirements can be determined under controlled environment/ ideal conditions
resp/ calorimetry chambers
what are some factors that can cause variability in nutritional requirements
variability due to stress, genetics, breeds, individual uses (ex. residual intake, methane production)
what is precision livestock nutrition/feeding (precision farming)
precisely match nutrient supply to requirements to prevent over or under supply
what are 2 methods of applied nutrition
- box/pearson square method
- linear programming
describe the box/ pearson square method
2 ingredient mixtures or single nutrient balance (TDN, CP, ME, vit, min)
describe how linear programming can be used in applied nutrition
multiple nutrients simultaneously for least cost formulation (most common) or mathematical modelling
what is it called when nutrient requirements exceed nutrient intake
deficiency
what is it called when nutrient intake exceeds the nutrient requirements
toxicity
what are some factors related to the animal that contribute to nutritional balance
species, sex, age, physiological status/ stage, breed, health
what are some factors related to the environment that contribute to nutritional balance
temperature (TH index), feed quality and availability, water, shade, management practices
what are some health problems that contribute to nutritional imbalances
obesity, type II diabetes, deficiencies
what environmental impacts (pollution) can contribute to nutritional imbalance
excess nitrogen
what is the highest cost in animal production
feed
what is the most common nutritional disorder in dogs, cats and horses
obesity
what can cause feed toxicities
environmental contaminants, bacterial contaminants, fungal contaminants, mycotoxins, plant toxins, weed seeds, animal toxins, undeclared additives
what are the most common nutritional problems
mineral and vitamin deficiencies
what are the digestive processes of the gastrointestinal tract
ingestion, propulsion, digestion (mostly small intestine, can be mechanical or chemical), absorption, excretion
where does most nutrient absorption take place
microvilli in small intestine
where does most water and electrolyte absorption take place
large intestine
where do absorbed nutrients go
circulation then liver
name the animals that are monograstric
dogs, cats, pigs, humans
which animals are ruminants
cattle, sheep, goats, camelids (kinda)
which animal is a pseudorum
camelids
name 2 hindgut fermenters
rabbits, horse
name some animals that have avian digestive system
chicken, turkey, duck
what is considered the foregut in monogastrics
salivary glands, mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach and liver
what is the role of the foregut in monogastric species
ingestion, mastication, digestion
what is included in the midgut of monogastric species
small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, illeum) and pancreas
what is the function of the midgut in monogastric species
digestion and absorbtion
what is considered the hindgut in monogastric species
colon, cecum, anus
what is the function of the hindgut in monogastric species
reabsorption, storage, excretion