Introduction to Nutrition Flashcards
Why is nutrition important?
Correct nutrition is essential for maintaining optimum health in all species
Failure to do so will have major health effects on the animal
Define nutrition?
The process related to the supply of food constituents (nutrients) taken in by a species to support life
Giving the body everything it needs to be able to function. Nutritionally balanced diet.
What are nutrients?
Nutrients are the components of food
How do nutrients support life?
An energy supply
Providing structural components for new cells
Transporting substances within and through the body - water
Regulating temperature - water
Helping chemical reactions in the body - enzymes
Helping food palatability - Fat
Define ingestion
The act of taking food via the mouth
Define digestion
The breaking down of food into smaller units by mechanical and chemical means
Use of tongue, teeth, lips and throat
Define absorption
The transportation or diffusion of small food compounds into the body
Define metabolism
The process by which physiological changes occur in the body through chemical reaction
All the physical and chemical changes that occur in cells to allow growth and maintain body functions
What is metabolism?
Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions
Define anabolism
The process of building up nutrient molecules into large units that store energy
The constructive phase of metabolism which is characterised by the conversion of simple substances into the more complex compounds of living matter e.g. Amino acids into protein
Define catabolism
The breaking down of complex organic compounds often resulting with the release of energy
The metabolic process in which energy is used by breaking down large complex molecules into smaller ones
What is the differences between anabolic and catabolic
Anabolic:
- builds up
- constructive phase
- energy use
- ◼️ ⬛️ -> ▪️▪️▪️▪️
Catabolic:
- breaks down
- destructive phase
- energy release
- ▪️▪️▪️▪️ -> ⬛️⬛️
What does the term dry matter mean?
Chemical components available to provide energy once the water content of the food has been extracted
Define hunger
The physiological sensation triggered when the body require energy
Define appetite
The desire for a particular type and quantity of food to satisfy a bodily need
Define anorexia
Loss of desire to eat
Define balanced diet
Where all the correct nutrients are available to the animal in the correct quantities
What are the 7 main nutrients in food?
Water Fat Protein Carbohydrates Vitamins Minerals Amino acids
What is the purpose of water?
Carrier of substances to and from body tissues
Temperature regulation
Fluid balance
pH of blood
Gaseous exchange
Lubricates joints/tissues and organs
Water is not an energy producing nutrient
What factors may influence the quantity of water an animal requires?
The age Life stage - lactation, neonates etc Environmental conditions Diet Habit Physical exertion
What is synovial fluid?
Fluid that lubricates the joints
What are the 3 ways water is obtained by the body?
Drinking - must be fresh and available at all times
Water in food - varies depending on food type
Metabolic water - produced from catabolism of nutrients;
CHO breakdown 60%
Proteins 40%
Fats 10%
What 6 ways is water lost from the body?
Urine Faeces Expired air Swear Milk during lactation Blood loss
What is the purpose of carbohydrates?
Provide energy
Can also be converted into body fat
Can affect gut function
Made of sugars
Where do we get carbohydrates from?
Cereals Potatoes Bread Pasta Rice
Carbohydrates are classified into two groups, what are they?
Soluble
Insoluble
What are soluble carbohydrates?
Simple and complex sugars
Cereals provide the majority of energy in commercial dog food
These are absorbed and utilised by the body
What are insoluble carbohydrates?
Fibre - used to bulk low calorie food
Not absorbed or utilised by the body
What are the 2 types of soluble carbohydrates?
Monosaccharide
- glucose
- fructose
Disaccharide
- 2 monosaccharides joined by an enzyme reaction
- These are classed as simple sugars
- lactose
- maltose
- sucrose
What insoluble carbohydrates are there?
Cellulose
- found in the wall of plant cells
- non digestible in carnivores
- important energy source in herbivores
- provides dietary fibre
What does monosaccharide mean?
One sugar
What dies disaccharide mean?
2 sugars
What does polysaccharide mean?
Many sugars
What are polysaccharides?
Made up of chains of simple sugars
Primary plant energy made available by cooking
Glycogen - animal starch chain of glucose molecules
These are classified as complex sugars
Are diets high in insoluble fibre appropriate for animals with high energy requirements?
No
Because they are low in energy density
So would need a lot of it
What are amino acids?
Building blocks of proteins
There are 22 different amino acids
As few as 50 or as many as several thousands of amino acids line up in a specific sequence to make a protein
How do animals receive most of there amino acids?
The food they eat
Synthesis
Breakdown (catabolism) and build up (anabolism) of chemicals into the required amino acids
Define synthesis
Bi-product of chemical reaction
What are the essential amino acids?
Amino acids that an animal can not synthesise itself
Must be provided in the diet
Dogs require 10 essential amino acids
Cats require 11 essential amino acids such as Taurine
What is Taurine?
An essential amino acid required for cats
Only found in meat protein
Deprivation causes degeneration of the retina and dilated cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart)
Deficiency poorly shown through symptoms
What is arginine?
Show signs of protein deficiency Rough dull coat Poor muscle development Reduced immunity Anaemia Poor wound healing Lethargy Anorexia
What are proteins?
Very complex organic compounds composed of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms
Made up of amino acids
From part of all living cells, and non living structures such as hair, nails and matrix of connective tissue
What is the purpose of proteins?
All enzymes and some hormones are protein
Absolutely essential for growth and repair of the body
May be used for energy production
What are four reasons protein is required in the diet?
Tissue growth and repair
Metabolic function (enzymes and protein)
Protect against disease
Provide energy
Proteins are particular important for animals that are…
Growing
Reproducing
Working
Unwell/recovering
Carbohydrates have a similar role
What 5 ways can protein be lost from the body?
Faeces Urine Hair Skin Sweat
Five foods that contain protein?
Meat Eggs Cheese Legumes Nuts
Which if species has the higher protein requirements, cats or dogs?
Cats require 3.3 - 3.5g/kg/day
Dogs require 1.3 - 1.5g/kg/day
Name 4 functions of fats
Provide energy Absorption of fat soluble vitamins D,E,K,E Enhance palatability Source of essential fatty acids Insulation Too much fat causes obesity
What are lipids?
Organic substances only very slightly or totally non-soluble in water, but very soluble in organic solvents such as alcohol Contain; - fats - oils - waxes Fat is the most abundant lipid
What are fat molecules called?
Triglycerides
What are essential fatty acids?
Linoleum acid
Arachidonic acid
There are the parent compounds from which the more complex longer chain compounds can be synthesised by the body
Cats have only a limited ability to convert EFA’s into the longer compound and therefore require a preformed source of arachidonic acids from animal sources
What is DHA?
Needed for cognitive development
Easier training
What are volatile fatty acids?
Significant source of energy for herbivores
Produced in the ruminant by the fermentation process of insoluble fatty acids
Formed by the breakdown of cellulose
What are antioxidants and why do we add them to feeds?
Prevents oxidation of 'stored' food Prevents fats from becoming rancid and breaking down Examples; - vitamin C - vitamin E - Carotenoids
Preserves food
How is protein made into an amino acid?
Protein -> protease -> amino acid
How is far made into fatty acids/glycol?
Fat -> lipase -> fatty acids/glycol
What proteins break down carbohydrates to glucose?
CHO -> amylase -> maltase -> glucose
