Nutrition Flashcards
What are the six types of nutrients and what do they do (6 marks)
Carbohydrates: primary energy source
Proteins: requires for growth, tissue repair, and development
Fats (lipids): energy storage and absorption of fat soluble vitamins
Vitamins: support immune function, growth, and metabolic processes
Minerals: needed for bone development and enzymatic functions
Water: vital for hydration, digestion, and overall survival
Carbohydrates use in animals and sources (3 marks)
- Energy source for daily activities and metabolic functions.
- Herbivores rely heavily on this for energy when Carnivores use fats and proteins more.
- sources are:
Grass,hay,silage-cows,horses
Fruits,vegetables,grains-pigs,chickens
From preys stomach contents-wolves,coyotes
Protein’s use in animals and sources
- Building block for tissue (muscle,hair,skin)
- required for enzyme production,immune system and hormone regulation
- different species need certain levels of proteins
Sources are:
Animal based proteins- (meat,fish,eggs)
Plant based proteins from legumes-alfalfa clover
Combination of animal and plant based proteins-poultry,soybeans for pigs
Fats (lipids) use in animals and sources
- Energy source crucial for long term storage of energy
- Needed for skin and coat health in pets and performance animals
- Supports vitamin intake (A,D,E,K)
Sources are:
Animal fats are primary sources-fish oil,lard
Low fat in diet cokes from grains and seeds-(flaxseed, sunflower seeds)
Mixed fat sources from meat, seeds and grains-pigs,chickens
Vitamins use in animals and sources
- Fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K) and water-soluble vitamins (B-Complex)
- Carnivores: require special vitamins like taurine (amino acid)
- Herbivores: rely on vitamins for digestion (B for ruminants)
Sources are:
Herbivores use natural sources - green leafy vegetables, forage (vitamin a from carotene)
Carnivores require vitamins from liver, animal tissues (vitamin A,D e.g.)
Omnivores use mixed sources, this is supplemented from commercial feeds (vitamin premixes)
minerals use in animals and sources
- used for bone, muscle, nerve health.
- macro-minerals (calcium, phosphorous) and trace materials (zinc, copper)
- ruminants (cows) need more calc and phos for milk production and bone development.
- carnivores rely on calc through their preys bones
Sources are:
Herbivores forage, mineral blocks or use supplements (calcium, magnesium)
Carnivores eat bones and organ meats for calc and phos
omnivores use grain, seeds, and animal products (balanced commercial feeds may be fortified
water use in animals and sources
- used for temp regulation, digestion and waste elimination
- water need depends on size species and environment
- dehydration can lead to health complications
sources are:
rivers,lakes,sea etc.
animals meat can provide water (very little)
seeds and plants
essential nutrients in animals and sources
These come from the animals diet
- essential amino acids (lysine, methionine)
- essential fatty acids (omega-3, omega-6)
- vitamins A and D that are not synthesisable by the body
sources are:
Meat for amino and fatty acids (carnivores)
legumes (alfalfa, clover) supply essential proteins for herbivores
mixed diets of grains and animals products (omnivores)
non essential nutrients in animals and sources
These are made by the animals body
- some amino acids and glucose can be synthesized internally
- ruminant animals can ferment fibre that can produce vitamins
Sources are:
Carnivores + omnivores - can produce glucose from protein or fat
Herbivores - ruminants can produce b vitamins through microbial fermentation in the rumen
Fresh vs dry feed
Fresh: High moisture, nutrient rich, spoils quickly (raw meat, fresh forage)
Dry: concentrated, easy to store, can lose vitamins (hay for herbivores, kibble for pets)
Processed nutrients
Processed feed: improved digestibility, consistent nutrient content
- may lose nutrients during processing (vitamins in dry dog food)
- often supplemented to restore lost nutrients (vitamin fortification)
Use of supplements in animal care
Herbivores - mineral blocks or salt licks for missing nutrients
Carnivores + omnivores - vitamin or omega supplements (taurine for cats, fish oil for dogs)
- risk of over-supplementation which can lead to toxicity
Monogastric system
Mono-gastric - singular chambered stomach
Animal examples - rats, gerbils, rabbits, pigs, cats, dogs etc.
Mouth, oesophagus and gall bladder
Mouth - food is mixed with saliva which contains enzymes (break down carbohydrates) and chewed by mouth until it is sent into the next stage.
Oesophagus - connects mouth to the stomach. Food is carried by peristalsis - series of muscle contractions.
Gall bladder - stores bile produced by liver. Concentrates bile by absorbing water from it. Bile is released into small intestine to aid in fat digestion. Absorbs fat soluble vitamins
liver, stomach and pancreas
Liver - releases bile into the intestines. this breaks down lipids in food
Stomach - stores and churns food. releases gastric acid to help break down and kill harmful bacteria.
Pancreas - releases enzymes into the intestines that break down carbohydrates, proteins and lipids in food.
small intestine - duodenum, jejunum and the ileum
Small intestine:
peristalsis is used to help push food down the digestive tract.
Duodenum - Structure:
C shaped segment of small intestine
continuation of pylorus
approximately 25 to 30 cm long
contains Brunner’s gland - produces mucus that protects the duodenum and maintains the alkaline PH levels
Function:
it helps digest food coming in from the stomach. absorbs nutrients and water from the food so it can be used by the body
Jejunum:
structure:
contains plicae circulars - muscular flaps and valves of kerckring
contains villi to improve surface area.
many blood vessels - dark red colour
long length of the small intestine (22 feet long) to increase amount of absorption it can intake
Function:
to collect and further digest amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids. carry food through rapidly using wave like muscle contractions and push it toward the ileum.
Ileum:
structure: multiple layers
- serosa: outer layer of ileum used to lubricate the outside of organs and secrete serous fluid. prevents friction and inflammation.
- simple squamous epithelium and connective tissue layers underneath (lamina propria serosae)
has micelles that allow monoglycerides and fatty acids to be absorbed by the epithelial cells in the ileum.
Nutritional disorder: malnutrition
