Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Key Terms
amino acids
antibiotics
anthelmintics
balanced ration
central nervous system
colostrum
concentrates
crude protein
digestible protein
digestion
digestive system
energy
feed additives
free choice
growth regulators
lactation
macrominerals
maintenance
microminerals
monogastrics
peripheral nervous system
physiology
ration
roughages
ruminants
Importance of Nutrition
and Digestion
Basics of Animal
Physiology
Skeletal System
The skeletal system consists of bones and
cartilage that give the body shape. It protects
internal organs and provides support for the
body. Bone is the major component of the
Arteries
skeletal system, which consists partially of
calcium and phosphate. The material inside
Veins
bone is bone marrow, which produces blood
cells. Cartilage provides support and serves as
a cushioning effect for joints.
Circulatory System
Heart
Kidneys
Lungs
Circulatory System
Liver
Urinary System
Skeletal System
Vertebrae
Scapula
Femur
Fibula
Tibia
Tarsus
Humerus
Radius
Ulna
Carpus
Metacarpus
Metatarsus
Phalanges
Muscular System
Nervous System
Nervous System
Respiratory System
Spinal Cord
Muscular System
Trapezius
Latissimus
Dorsi
Tensor
Fasciae Latae
Gleutals
Tricep
Pectoral
Digestive System
Urinary System
Kidneys
Renal Arteries
Ureters
Bladder
Urethra
Endocrine System
The endocrine system consists of endocrine glands
that release hormones into the body. Hormones are
chemicals necessary for the regulation of many
bodily functions. For example, hormones regulate
growth and reproduction.
Endocrine System
Kidney
Ovary
Adrenal
Glands
Pituitary
Gland
Corpus Follicle
Luteum
Thyroid
Parathyroid
Trachea
Knowledge Check
Protein
Protein is made up of amino acids that are necessary
for healthy animals. Amino acids are the building
blocks of protein and are used for the formation of
tissues and muscle production. Protein is needed for
healthy growth, reproduction, and maintenance.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are nutrients that provide the main
source of energy for activities the body performs.
Water is the most important nutrient needed for all animals. Carbohydrates provide energy for growth,
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maintenance, and reproduction. They also help
produce body heat for warmth. Carbohydrates
come from plants and include sugars, starches, and
Water
cellulose. The main sources of carbohydrates in
How long can one survive without water? Not
feed are grains such as corn, oats, wheat, barley,
long. Water is vital for all animals and makes
rye, and grain sorghum. Forages and hay are also
up more than one-half of most animals bodies!
sources of carbohydrates.
It forms the basis of fluids in the body and is
essential for processes such as digestion, blood
circulation, and waste elimination. Water helps
dissolve nutrients and also regulates body
temperature through perspiration and evaporation.
Animals need a fresh, clean source of water. Most
of the water an animal consumes comes from the
water it drinks. Water also can be obtained from
feed sources such as forage. Water is essential,
especially for working animals or during hot
weather. During hot weather or when working
hard, horses can require 20 or more gallons of
Carbohydrates give animals the energy they need for
water per day.
many bodily functions.
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Fats
Minerals
CIMC Photos
Vitamins
Symptoms of Nutrient
Deficiencies
What happens when an animal doesnt get enough
of a specific nutrient? Symptoms of nutrient
deficiencies range from a variety of diseases and
health problems to fatality.
The symptoms of water deficiency include
weakness, reduced feed intake, weight loss,
eyes that appear sunken in, and lack of saliva
production. Water deficiency can ultimately cause
death if the animal does not receive adequate
amounts of water.
Lack of energy is often a first symptom of
carbohydrate deficiency. Other symptoms of
carbohydrate deficiency include weight loss,
poor growth rates, loss of fat, and an unthrifty
appearance. Animals that lack carbohydrates for
an extended time can face starvation and possibly
death.
Vitamins are fat soluble or water soluble. Watersoluble vitamins are dissolved in water, and fatsoluble vitamins are dissolved in fat. Fat-soluble
vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin
D is necessary for bone development, and it is
produced in the animals body. In order to produce
vitamin D, the animal must be in sunlight for a
portion of the day. Some of the main benefits of the
other fat-soluble vitamins include blood clotting
(vitamin K), reproduction and muscle development
(vitamin E), healthy eyes, and preventing infection
(vitamin A).
Water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and
the B-complex. Vitamin C is needed for teeth and
bone formation, and the prevention of infections.
Mineral Deficiencies
Vitamin Deficiencies
Knowledge Check
1. Which type of animal requires
nutrients only for maintenance?
2. What makes up nearly half of an
animals body?
3. Name and describe the six classes of
nutrients.
4. What are some signs of carbohydrate
deficiency?
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Feed Additives
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Pearson Square
Example
45% CP
CP
45%
Soybean
Meal
Soybean Meal
16%
CP
10% CP
Corn
Corn
45%
45%CP
CP
SoybeanMeal
Meal
Soybean
6.0 Parts
Parts Soybean Meal
(subtract 10-16)
Soybean
Meal
(subtract 10-16)
16%
29.0
Parts Corn
Corn
29.0 Parts
10%
10% CP
Corn
(subtract
45-16)
(subtract 45-16)
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Animal Digestive
Systems
Monogastrics
The digestive system of monogastrics can be
divided into several subdivisions. Some have a
functional cecum which increases the animals
ability to digest roughage in feeds. Examples of
monogastrics with a functional cecum include
horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters. Others
have a nonfunctional cecum in which the cecum
is relatively small and has little function, limiting
the animals ability to digest roughage in feeds.
Examples of nonruminants with a nonfunctional
cecum include pigs, dogs, and humans. Another
subdivision of nonruminants is the avian digestive
system. Avians have a digestive system where
special organs (crop, gizzard) soften, crush, and
grind feed. Examples of avians include chickens
and turkeys (poultry).
Ruminants
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Knowledge Check
1. Describe the two major categories of
feed additives.
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Abomasum Omasum
Small
Intestine (True Stomach)
Anus
Mouth
Esophagus
Large
Intestine
Reticulum
Cecum
Rumen
Stomach
Small
Intestine
Rectum
Anus
Mouth
Cecum
Large
Intestine
Esophagus
Ceca
Large
Intestine
Mouth
Esophagus
Crop
Vent
Small
Intestine
Gizzard
Proventriculus
(True Stomach)
Stomach
Mouth
Anus
Esophagus
Cecum
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Rectum
Small
Intestine
Large
Intestine
Unit Summary
Animal nutrition is important for the health and
productivity of agricultural animals. Providing
proper nutrition is much more than purchasing a bag
of feed or putting animals on pasture. The producer
should be knowledgeable about the basics of animal
physiology. Just as the human body is made up of
systems, animals have systems as well. Each of
these systems plays a vital role in animal health.
Nutrients are important to animals so all systems
function properly. Animals need varying nutrients
according to factors such as age, pregnancy, and
use. The six major classes of nutrients include
water, protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and
vitamins. Nutrient deficiencies can cause health
problems in animals, leading to death. In addition,
Review
1. Why is proper nutrition needed for animals?
2. Explain why it is important to study digestion.
3. Name the systems of the body.
4. What system pumps blood throughout the body?
5. Which system consists of the kidneys and bladder?
6. Describe how the nutrition of a pregnant animal and a young animal differs.
7. What are the six major classes of nutrients?
8. What do carbohydrates do for the body?
9. Explain the difference between macrominerals and microminerals?
10. Describe the symptoms of nutrient deficiency.
11. Why are feed additives used?
12. How are the two categories of feed additives different?
13. What method is used to balance feed rations?
14. Describe how the Pearson square is used.
15. Explain the differences between a ruminant and non-ruminant.
16. Name three ruminant and three non-ruminant animals.
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