Unit 26: Animal Anatomy, Physiology and
Nutrition
Key Terms
See page 533—this will be your assignment on
Tuesday!
Part I
Nutrition in Human and Animal Health
Anatomy and Physiology
Nutrition in Human and
Animal Health
Proper health is connected to proper nutrition
Scurvy, anorexia, obesity in humans
ration: content of food eaten by an animal in 1 day
Balanced ration: a ration that contains all of the
needed nutrients in the proper proportions and
amounts
Deficiency diseases: diseases caused by an improper
balance of vitamins and minerals
Animal Anatomy and
Physiology
The internal function and vital processes of animals
and their organs are referred to as animal
physiology.
The various parts of the body are collectively known
as anatomy.
Skeletal System
The skeletal system is made up of bones join
together by cartilage and ligaments.
Provides support for the body
Provides protection for the brain and soft organs
Bone is the main component of the skeletal system.
It is composed of 26% minerals (mostly calcium)
Bone marrow produces the body’s blood cells and is
found inside the bone.
Muscular System
The muscular system is the lean meat of the animal
and the part of the body that is used for human
consumption.
Muscles provide movement in cooperation with the
skeletal system and support life (ex: heart, diaphragm)
Voluntary muscles can be controlled by animals
Involuntary muscles operate in the body without
control by the will of the animal
Muscles are mostly composed of proteins which are
nutrients made up of amino acids.
Circulatory System
The circulatory system is composed of the heart,
veins, arteries , capillaries and lymph system.
This system transports food and oxygen to cells and
filters waste from the body
Lymph gland secret disease-fighting materials into the
body.
Vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates are
essential for the function of the circulatory system.
Respiratory System
The respiratory system provides oxygen to the
blood of the animal and removes waste gases such as
CO2 from the blood.
Composed of the nostrils, nasal cavity, pharynx,
larynx, trachea, and lungs
Nervous System
The nervous system is composed of the central nervous
system and the peripheral nervous system
The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal
cord.
Responsible for coordinating the movements of animals
and responds to all of the senses (hearing, sight, touch,
taste, and smell)
The peripheral nervous system controls the functions of
the body tissues, including organs.
Nerves transmit messages to the brain from the outer parts
of the body
The nervous system is primarily composed of soft tissues,
so proteins are important in maintaining health.
Urinary System
The urinary system removes waste material from
the blood.
Includes kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra
The kidneys help regulate the makeup of blood and
help maintain other internal systems
Abnormal levels of proteins can stress the system
Endocrine System
The endocrine system or hormone system is a group
of ductless gland that release hormones into the
body
Hormones are chemicals that regulate the activities of
the body.
Examples: regulate growth, reproduction, milk
production and breathing rate
Hormones are needed in VERY SMALL amounts
Oxytocin stimulates milk let down in female animals
Digestive System
The digestive system provides food for the body and
for all of it’s systems
Three basic types of digestive systems:
Polygastric (ruminant)
Monogastric
Poultry
Polygastic (ruminant)
Ruminants are animals that have stomachs with
more than one compartment
Ex: cattle and sheep
The largest compartment is called the rumen and it
can store large amounts of roughage
Roughage is hay, grass, silage or other high fiber feed.
Ruminants have the ability to break down plant fibers
and use them for food better than non-ruminants.
http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/action/yt
/watch?v=JSlZjgpF_7g
Monogastric System
Monogastric means having a stomach with one
compartment.
ex: swine, horses and most all other animals
In monogastric systems most of the digestion takes
place in the small intestines.
Monogastric animals are unable to break down large
amounts of roughage so their rations must contain
more concentrates.
Concentrates are composed mostly of grains that are
low in fiber and high in total digestible nutrients.
Poultry Digestive
System
Chickens swallow their food whole since they have
no teeth
Food is stored in the crop and passed to the gizzard,
which grinds it up. It then passes on to the small
intestine for digestion.
Poultry do not have true stomachs
Part II
Major Classes of Nutrients
Sources of Nutrients
Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiencies
Feed
Major classes of
Nutrients
Water
Muscles and internal organs of animals contain 75%
water
Water is the solution in which all nutrients are
dissolved or suspended for transport in the body
Water reacts with chemicals compounds to help break
down food
Water provides rigidity, allowing the body to maintain
its shape and also regulates body temperature
Major classes of
Nutrients
Protein
Major component of muscle and tissue
Made up of amino acids
Monogastic animals need specific amino acids,
ruminant animals need more quantity than quality
AMINO ACIDS ARE THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE!
Major classes of
Nutrients
Carbohydrates
Made up of sugars and starches
Provide energy and heat to animals
Carbs are used for growth, maintenance, work,
reproduction and lactation (milk production)
Simple Sugars: fructose and galactose
Compound Sugars: sucrose, maltose and lactose
Complex forms of carbs: starch and cellulose
Carbohydrates that are not quickly used by the body
turn into fat and are stored in the body.
Major classes of
Nutrients
Minerals
15 minerals that are essential to health:
Calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chlorine, potassium,
sulfur, iron, iodine, cobalt, copper, fluorine, manganese,
molybdenum, selenium and zinc
Supports the skeletal system, endocrine system and
soft tissues and fluids in the body
Major classes of
Nutrients
Vitamins
Only required in minute quantities
Act as a catalyst for other body processes
Used in blood clotting, bone formation, reproduction,
maintaining membrane health, producing milk and
preventing nervous system disorders
Major classes of
Nutrients
Fat
Only small amounts required
Mostly used to improve taste of feed
Necessary to carry fat-soluble vitamins
Sources of Nutrients
Proteins
Major sources for animals: soybeans, peanuts,
cottonseed and linseed
Feed consisting of ground oil seeds with the oil removed
is called oil meal
Legume hay (peanut, alfalfa or clover) is a good plant
source of protein
Animal protein contains more of the essential amino
acids needed than plant protein
Ex: tankage, fish meal, blood meal, skim milk, whey,
feather meal and meat products
Sources of Nutrients
Protein continued…
Urea, a synthetic source of nitrogen made from air,
water and carbon, can also be used as a substitute for
some protein required by animals.
Sources of Nutrients
Carbohydrates
Major source: cereal grains
Other sources: non-legume hay, grass and molasses
Sources of Nutrients
Vitamins and Minerals
Ruminants manufacture B-complex vitamins in their
rumens
Exposure to sunlight provides vitamin D
Contact with the soil and feed grown on fertile land
provide most of the v&m needed
Supplements are available if needed
Symptoms of Nutrient
Deficiencies
Discuss page 546
Rickets in humans and cattle.
Scurvy in humans
and guinea pigs
Feed Additives
Feed additives are non-nutritive substances that are
added to promote rapid growth, feed efficiency or to
maintain or improve health.
Two major groups: growth regulators and anitbiotics
Antibiotics prevent or control diseases
Common growth regulators include hormones like
progesterone, estrogen and testosterone
Regulated by government
Composition of Feeds
dry matter-the material left after all water has been
removed from the feed
Classification of Feed
Materials
Concentrates and Roughages
Concentrates are low in fiber and high in total
digestible nutrients (TDN)
Mostly cereal grains
Roughages are high in fiber and low in TDN
3 types: dry, green and silage
green roughages are plant materials with high moisture
contents
Silage is the feed that results from the storage and
fermentation of green crops
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