Minerals

Question 1

What are minerals?

Answer 1

Inorganic elements required as nutrients.

Question 2

What are the two broad classifications of minerals?

Answer 2

1. Macrominerals (>0.01% of the diet).
2. Micro/ trace minerals (<0.01% of the diet).

Question 3

Why would feedstuffs vary in the quantities of minerals they provide?

Answer 3

For plants, It will depend on the concentration of the minerals in the soil.

Question 4

What are the 6 macrominerals?

Answer 4

1. Calcium.
2. Phosphorus.
3. Magnesium.
4. Sodium.
5. Potassium.
6. Chloride.

Question 5

What are the functions of calcium?

Answer 5

1. Bone mineralization (Ca into hydroxyapatite).
2. Enzyme activation (blood clotting factor).
3. Second messenger (muscle contraction).

Question 6

What are the signs of a calcium deficiency?

Answer 6

1. Impaired nerve function.
2. Muscle function.
   *Milk fever is not the same thing as a calcium deficiency.

Question 7

What form is phosphorous typically found in in the diet?

Answer 7

Phosphate.

Question 8

What are the functions of phosphorous?

Answer 8

1. Bone mineralization (P in hydroxyapatite).
2. Enzymatic reactions.
3. Oxidative phosphorylation (ATP generation).
4. Reversible modification of proteins (by enzymes modified by phosphates).
5. Acid-base buffer (bind or release H+).
6. Signaling molecules (cyclic AMP).
7. DNA and RNA (phosphate in the back bone, phosphodiester bonds).
8. PHOSPHOlipids.

Question 9

Where is phosphorous deficiency common?

Answer 9

In areas with low levels of phosphorous in the soil.

Question 10

What are the signs of a phosphorous deficiency?

Answer 10

Pica.

Question 11

What mineral must phosphorus be kept in balance with and why?

Answer 11

Calcium. Due to both being excreted together, if the typical 2 Ca: 1 P is thrown off, the one that is over supplemented will lead to a deficiency in the other one (even if it is kept the same as it normally would be).

Question 12

What is rickets/osteomalacia caused by?

Answer 12

A deficiency of Ca, P, vitamin D, 2 of them, or all of them.

Question 13

What physical abnormality is linked with rickets/osteomalacia?

Answer 13

Poorly mineralized, spongy bone.

Question 14

What are the functions of magnesium?

Answer 14

1. Nucleic acid and protein synthesis (Polymerase enzymes).
2. Second messenger.
3. Cellular energy metabolism (Hexokinase, enolase).
4. Ion channels (Na+-K+ ATPase channel).
5. Anion charge neutralization (ATP being neutralized).

Question 15

What are the signs of a magnesium deficiency?

Answer 15

1. Convulsions.
2. Muscle twitching.

*Grass tetany is an associated condition.

Question 16

Why are sodium, potassium, and chloride classified together?

Answer 16

They are all electrolytes.

Question 17

What are the functions of sodium, potassium, chloride?

Answer 17

1. Nutrient transport.
2. Membrane potential.
3. Extracellular fluid volume (water balance and retention).

Question 18

What are the signs of a sodium, potassium, chloride deficiency?

Answer 18

1. Irregular heartbeat.
2. Diarrhea (decreased nutrient absorption and GI contractions).
3. Vomiting.

Question 19

What is the function of iodine?

Answer 19

Thyroid hormone synthesis.

Question 20

What is the sign of an iodine deficiency?

Answer 20

Goiter.

Question 21

What are the functions of selenium?

Answer 21

1. Deiodinases (activate thyroid hormone).
2. Glutathione peroxidase (Antioxidant function).
3. Selenoprotein P (plasma).*
4. Selenoprotein W (muscle).*

*Both act like glutathione peroxidase.

Question 22

Why are both selenium toxicity and deficiency a risk when feeding selenium?

Answer 22

Selenium has a narrow safety level, making it easy for it to be under or over supplemented.

Question 23

What are the signs of a selenium deficiency?

Answer 23

1. White muscle disease (oxidative damage).
2. Liver necrosis.

Question 24

What are the signs of selenium toxicity?

Answer 24

1. Blind staggers.
2. Abnormal hoof growth.
3. Abnormal hair growth.

Question 25

How is iron stored in the body?

Answer 25

Bound to ferritin in the liver.

Question 26

How is iron transported in the body?

Answer 26

Bound to transferrin.

Question 27

What are the functions of iron?

Answer 27

1. Heme protein (Hemoglobin, Myoglobin, catalase). 2. Proteins with iron-sulfate centers (Aconitase).

Question 28

What is the sign of an iron deficiency?

Answer 28

Anemia.

Question 29

What are the functions of zinc?

Answer 29

1. Zn metalloenzymes (Aminopeptidases, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate). 2. Lymphocytes. 3. Zn-finger protein (Gene transcription).

Question 30

What are the signs of a zinc deficiency?

Answer 30

1. Decreased growth. 2. Periocular dermatitis.

Question 31

What are the functions of copper?

Answer 31

1. Cu Metalloenzymes: Cytochrome C oxidase. 2. Iron metabolism through the creation of ceruloplasmin, which allows iron to bind to transferrin. 3. Neutrophil and T lymphocyte function. 4. Bone and vascular function through collagen and elastin synthesis.

Question 32

What are the signs of a copper deficiency?

Answer 32

1. GI disturbances. 2. Anemia. 3. Ataxia. 4. Hair depigmentation. 5. Abnormal bone formation. 6. Reduced growth. 7. Aortic rupture (inflexibility).

Question 33

What are the functions of manganese?

Answer 33

1. Mn metalloenzymes: Pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. 2. Cartilage formation.

Question 34

What are the signs of a manganese deficiency?

Answer 34

1. Defective bone formation. 2. Perosis (slipped tendon) in poultry.

Question 35

What are zinc, copper, and manganese all necessary in the formation of?

Answer 35

Superoxide dismutases. *One for each.

Question 36

What is the function of superoxide dismutases?

Answer 36

To act as antioxidants by catalyzing the reaction of free radical oxygen to hydrogen peroxide.

Question 37

What two enzymes convert hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen?

Answer 37

1. Glutathione peroxidase. 2. Catalase.

Question 38

What type of animal requires sulfur and why?

Answer 38

1. Ruminants. 2. The rumen microbes require sulfur for sulfur-amino acid synthesis.

Question 39

What are the 2 sulfur amino acids?

Answer 39

1. Methionine. 2. Cysteine.

Question 40

What are the signs of a sulfur deficiency?

Answer 40

1. Reduced weight gain. 2. Poor wool growth.