Basic Nutrients Flashcards
(180 cards)
1
Q
What is the role of saliva?
A
Lubricates food and in some species it contains Ptyalin which begins the breakdown of food ( present in dogs but not cats)
2
Q
What is the name of the muscular movement of food through the digestive tract?
A
Peristalsis
3
Q
What is the role of HCl in the digestion of proteins?
A
lowers the pH of stomach contents which activates pepsinogen to pepsin. Pepsin plays an important role in digesting proteins
4
Q
What is the enzyme that breaks down milk fats?
A
Gastric Lipase
5
Q
What is the role of bicarbonate in digestion?
A
Neutralises the pH of the stomach contents before entry into small intestine to allow pancreatic enzymes to function effectively
6
Q
What effect does Bile have on fats?
A
Emulsifies them (helps breakdown)
7
Q
Name some disaccharidases
A
Sucrase, lactase, maltase
8
Q
How are products of fat digestion absorbed?
A
Through the lacteals in the villi of the small intestine , then transported to the cysterna chyli and then the thoracic duct and then into the bloodstream
9
Q
What solid nutrient is found in the highest quantity in dry dog food?
A
Carbohydrates
10
Q
What is the average daily water intake for cats and dogs?
A
Approx 50mls/kg/day
11
Q
What amino acid is essential to cats but not to dogs?
A
Taurine - cats cannot synthesize this in the body from the excesses of other amino acids
12
Q
Name the fat soluble vitamins
A
ADEK
13
Q
Name the water-soluble vitamins
A
B and C
14
Q
What is the main difference between fat soluble and water soluble vitamins?
A
Fat soluble vitamins can be stored in the fat tissue and are therefore less prone to deficiencies and more prone to toxicosis. Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored and are more prone to becoming depleted
15
Q
What is the chemical name for Vitamin A?
A
Retinol
16
Q
What is the function of Vitamin A?
A
Necessary for vision, reproduction, immunity and bone growth, maintenance of epithelium
17
Q
What are sources of Vitamin A?
A
Fish oils
Liver
Plant sources in the form of carotenes (need activation in the body - peppers, sweet potatoes, carrots)
18
Q
What are the consequences of an excess of vitamin A?
A
Skeletal malformations e.g. fusion of vertebrae in cats, bones overgrow
Hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity in skin)
19
Q
What are the consequences of a Vitamin A deficiency?
A
Night Blindness Xerophthalmia (conjunctiva dryness) Impaired growth Reproductive failure Loss of epithelial integrity Dermatoses
20
Q
Any specific info relating to Cats and Vitamin A?
A
Cats cannot produce the active form of Vit A so need to consume it in their diet e.g. eggs, fish oil
21
Q
What is the chemical name of Vitamin D?
A
Cholecalciferol (D3) (found in animals)
Ergocalciferol (D2) (found in plants)
22
Q
What is the function of Vitamin D?
A
Essential for calcium and phosphorous metabolism
23
Q
What are sources of Vitamin D?
A
Marine fish and fish oils Liver Egg yolks Plants UV (activates the provitamin creating cholecalciferol in the skin)
24
Q
What are the consequences of an excess of Vitamin D?
A
Hypercalcaemia
Soft tissue mineralisation
Renal failure
25
What are the consequences of a deficiency of Vitamin D?
Poor bone mineralization
(rickets in young animals; osteomalacia in adults)
Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
(too much PTH released as trying to correct Ca levels)
26
What is the chemical name for Vitamin E?
Tocopherols
27
What is the function of Vitamin E?
Antioxidant - defends against oxidative damage in cells
28
What are sources of Vitamin E?
only found in plants
| Vegetable oils, seeds and grains
29
What are the consequences of an excess of Vitamin E? (rare)
Can impair absorption of other fat-soluble vitamins
30
What are the consequences of a deficiency of Vitamin E?
Pansteatitis in cats (inflammation of body fat)
Degenerative skeletal muscle disease
Impaired male reproductive function
Failure of gestation
31
What is the chemical name for Vitamin K?
Quinones
32
What Is the function of Vit k?
Activates blood clotting factors
33
What are the sources of Vit k?
Green leafy plants/vegetables
| Bacteria in Liver
34
What are the consequences of an excess of Vitamin K?
unlikely to cause any toxicity
35
What are the consequences of a deficiency in Vitamin K?
Coagulopathy (impaired clotting ability)
Haemorrhage
*can be caused by lack of bacteria in LI due to antibiotics, warfarin, rat poison etc.
36
Name some important B vitamins
```
Thiamine (B1)
Riboflavin (B2)
Niacin (B3)
Pantothenic Acid
Cobalamin (B12)
```
37
What are the main functions of the B vitamins?
Involved in the use of food energy
| Important for cell maintenance and growth and/or cell synthesis
38
What are the sources of B vitamins?
```
Whole grains, Wheat, rice
Meat
Dairy
Green Vegetables
Yeast
```
39
What are the consequences of an excess of B vitamins?
Very rare
40
What are the consequences of a deficiency of B vitamins?
Anorexia, weight loss
Muscle weakness
Neurological issues, seizures
Dermatitis
41
What is the chemical name for vitamin C?
Ascorbic Acid
42
What are the functions of Vitamin C?
```
Antioxidant
Free radical scavenger
collagen synthesis
immunity
drug and steroid metabolism
iron absorption
wound healing
```
43
What are the sources of Vitamin C?
```
Dogs and cats are able to synthesize Vitamin C in the liver.
In small animals, provide:
Broccoli
cabbage
spinach
leafy greens
green and red pepper
```
44
What are the consequences of an excess of Vitamin C?
Low risk
45
What are the consequences of a deficiency of Vitamin C?
Does not occur in cats and dogs
In guinea pigs commonly scurvy
(impaired wound healing and faulty bone formation)
46
Name the teeth and their function
Incisors - nibbling/grooming
Canines - catching prey/piercing flesh
Premolars - carnassial for cutting flesh
Molars - chewing/grinding
47
What are the main differences in rabbit teeth?
Peg teeth on top (incisors behind incisors)
No canines - have diastema
Have premolars but no carnassial
Open-rooted teeth
48
Name the 4 salivary glands
Zygomatic
Parotid
Mandibular
Sublingual
49
What are the functions of saliva?
Lubricates food
Aids mechanical and chemical (in some species) digestion
Thermoregulation
50
What enzyme is found in the saliva?
Ptyalin or alpha-amylase (starts to digest carbohydrates)
| NOT produced in cats.
51
What are the 3 main gastric secretion?
Parietal cells secrete HCl and intrinsic factor
Chief cells secrete inactive pepsinogen
Goblet cells produce mucus
52
What is the job of pepsin?
Converts protein into polypeptides
53
What is the function of HCl?
Lowers pH and activates pepsinogen to pepsin
54
What is the function of Renin?
secreted by stomach wall and coagulates milk proteins
55
What is the function of gastric lipase?
Produced by stomach - starts digestion of fats in milk.
| Breaks down fats to fatty acids and glycerol
56
Why shouldn't you give adult dogs/cats milk?
Lipase tends to be more prevalent in young animals and production reduces after weaning. So if you don't have milk for years and then give an adult it, they cannot digest it.
57
What is the function of pancreatic juice?
Contains bicarbonate (HCO3) which reduces the acidity of chyme allowing pancreatic enzymes to work.
58
What does enterokinase do?
Converts inactive trypsinogen to trypsin
59
What does trypsin do?
Breaks down proteins
60
What is the function of amylase?
Breaks down Carbohydrates
61
What is the function of Peptidases?
Break down polypeptides into amino acids
62
What is the digestion function of bile?
Emulsifies fats - breaks them down into smaller parts so that it's easier to break down
63
Name some disaccharidases
maltase, lactase, sucrase
64
What do disaccharidases do?
Breakdown disaccharides to monosaccharides
65
How are the products of digestion absorbed?
Amino acids and simple sugars are absorbed into the blood capillaries in the villi of the SI
Fatty acids and glycerol are absorbed into the lacteals of the villi of the small intestine.
66
What happens to fats once they've been absorbed into lacteals?
Carried to the cysterna Chyli then the thoracic duct and back into the blood.
67
Where do protein and fat metabolism occur?
Liver
68
What are the functions of the liver?
```
Protein and Fat metabolism
Bile production
Stroage of fat-soluble vitamins
Detox
Iron store
Ammonia converted to urea
Synthesis of fibrinogen & other clotting proteins
Storage of glucose as glycogen
```
69
What occurs in the large intestine?
Absorption of water and electrolytes
70
How much body weight is water?
70%. 50% in cells and 20% in between cells
71
What is the water requirement of animals?
Approx 50mls per kg per day
| *varies according to diet type*
72
Does water provide energy?
No. Not at all
73
What are the main functions of water in the body?
1. Transport medium in bloodstream
2. Temperature regulation (saliva, diverts heat)
3. Digestion (hydrolysis)
4. Lubricant (food, eyes etc)
5. Elimination
74
What are the 3 sources of water?
Food, Drink, Metabolic water
75
What are the losses of water from the body?
```
Elimination - urine, faeces, vomit etc
Evaporative - sweat, pantin
Bleeding
Milk production
Diuretic drugs
```
76
Why is protein the most important solid nutrient?
Because it has the most function in the body
77
What is the chemical composition of protein?
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (just like fats and carbs) but also nitrogen and sulphur
78
How many amino acids are there in animal proteins?
About 21
79
Define essential amino acid
Cannot be synthesized in the body from the excesses of other amino acids therefore must be supplemented in diet.
80
How many essential amino acids are there?
10 in dogs and 11 in cats
81
What is the EAA that's only essential in cats? What is the result of a Taurine deficiency in cats?
Taurine.
If cats become deficient in Taurine, it causes central retinal degeneration, inability to form bile salts and affects fertility and development of kittens in utero
82
What is the function of Arginine (an EAA)?
Required to metabolise nitrogen - deficiency of arginine leads to a build up of ammonia in the blood which is toxic.
83
Name the 10 EAA for dogs and cats?
```
Arginine
Histidine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methione
Phenylalanine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine
```
84
Define Non-essential AA
Equally as important but can be synthesized in the body from the excesses of other amino acids and nitrogen
85
What contributes to Biological Value?
1. Acceptability (will pet eat it?)
2. Digestibility (easy to digest for that pet?)
3. Utilisable (is it useful in the body?)
86
What is the benefit of high BV foods?
Closely resemble the requirements of the animal
| Leave fewer waste products
87
Give an example of high BV foods?
Eggs (100%)
Fish meal (92), Milk protein and chicken (90)
Rice and Oats (60-70)
88
What are the functions of proteins?
```
Energy
Repair
Maintenance
Growth
Regulates metabolism
Role in blood (clotting, o2 transport)
Role in immune system (immunoglobulins)
```
89
What are the recommended relative requirements for protein of dogs, puppies, cats and kittens?
Cats have a relatively higher requirement than dogs
Dog (18%)
Puppy (22%)
Cat (26%)
Kitten (30%)
90
What will the protein requirement depend on?
Pregnant or lactating?
Healthy or recovering/fighting infection?
Workload/Lifestyle?
91
What can cause deficiency and excess of protein?
Feeding too much or too little
| Feeding an inappropriate diet (wrong type e.g. grain free, or adding 'tit-bits' to meal at dinner)
92
What is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency?
When the exocrine portion of the pancreas stops working and the animal cannot digest or utilise food
93
What the symptoms of excess Protein?
Overweight
| Progression of some clinical conditions e.g. hip dysplasia
94
What are the symptoms of Protein deficiency?
```
Weight loss
Poor skin/hair
increased suceptibilty to disease
oedema
anaemia
poor growth (if deficiency in young animals)
```
95
How are proteins broken down?
Proteins are broken down into essential amino acids by pepsin (in the presence of HCl) in the stomach.
In the small intestine, polypeptides are broken down into amino acids by enzymes from the SI lining and the pancreas.
Amino acids are the absorbed across the intestinal wall into the blood capillaries of the villi and into the bloodstream, and carried to the liver via the portal vein.
96
What is the chemical make up of carbohydrates?
Carbon hydrogen and oxygen
97
What are the 3 main groups of carbohydrates?
1. Simple sugars (can be broken down by water)
- monosaccharides (e.g. glucose) and disaccharides (e.g. lactose)
2. Oligosaccharides
- short chains of saccharides e.g. raffinose
3. Polysaccharides
- complex carbohydrates
- either starches (easy to digest once cooked e.g. potatoes) or fibre (relatively indigestible to dogs and cats - need to be fermented)
98
What are sources of Sugars (monosaccharides and disaccharides)?
Honey
Sugar Beet
Sugar Cane
Fruits
99
What are the sources of lactose?
Milk and dairy products
100
What are the sources of starch?
Potatoes, rice, cereal crops
| *potatoes and rice are commonly used instead of cereals in sensitive foods*
101
Name a source of slowly fermentable fibre (e.g. cellulose)
Wheat bran
102
Name sources of Moderately fermentable fibre?
Rice bran
| Pea fibre
103
What are sources of rapidly fermentable fibre?
Apples (other parts e.g. skin)
Citrus pulp
Guar gum
104
What are the functions of simple carbohydrates?
Energy (cheap source)
Produce Heat
Produce Lactose in lactation
*cats and dogs don't actually NEED carbs*
105
What happens to excess carbs?
Converted to fat and stored
106
What is the function of fibre?
1.Normalises bowel functions
2.Maintains health of the colon
(helps maintain the structure of the villi and regulates the speed at which food moves through)
3. Bulks out food so can be used in obesity diets
4. Slows down the release of a diet therefore improves glycaemic control in diabetic patients
107
What have you got to be careful with when feeding fibre?
It can reduced the absorption of other nutrients so not good for growing dogs
108
What are the relative requirements in cats and dogs for carbohydrates?
Don't actually need it! But it is an easily digestible source of energy.
Dogs 30-60% carbs in dry diet
Cats 35% on dry matter basis
109
Describe the 3 ways simple carbs and starches are digested?
1. Mechanical
- chewing in mouth
2. Enzymatic
- mouth - some species have ptyalin or alpha-amylase in saliva (not cats)
- stomach - HCl and peptic acid
- SI - most enzyme digestion takes place here. Pancreatic enzymes
3. Microbial (in rabbits e.g.)
- in large intestine
- microbes produce enzymes
110
How is fibre digested?
Fermentation (when carbohydrates are broken down in an environment with little or no o2 to release energy.
Microbes in the LI are anaerobes
111
What does the speed of fermentation mean in terms of breakdown?
The faster the fermentation, the more gases and short chain fatty acids are released in a short time i.e. the more flatulent they are
112
Name some rapidly fermentable fibres
Pectin (comes from fruit)
Guar gum
Soy fibre
113
Name some slowly fermentable fibres
Cellulose
| Peanut hulls and soybean hulls (outer hulls are quite tough and fibrous)
114
Describe the structure of fats
What makes them different?
Dietary fats consist of triglycerides.
Where each triglyceride is composed of 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids.
Fats are defined according to the different fatty acids on each and how the elements are bonded together
115
Name the 3 essential fatty acids and state whether they are essential in dogs or cats
1. Alpha-linoleic acid (omega 3) - cats and dogs
2. Linoleic Acid (omega 6) - cats and dogs
3. Arachidonic Acid (omega 6 ) - cats
116
Where does Alpha-linoleic acid come from?
Flaxseed oil
| Canola oil
117
Where does Linoleic Acid come from?
Sunflower oil
| Maize oil
118
Where does Arachidonic Acid come from?
Animal fats
119
What are the functions of fat in the diet?
1. Source of energy
-1g of fat creates double the amount of energy than protein or carbohydrates. BUT excess is stored,
- good for getting a lot of energy into a small amount
2. Improves palatability
3. Carrier for fat-soluble vitamins
4. Component of cell membranes
5. Necessary for the synthesis of prostaglandins (required in reproduction)
6. Waterproofing the coat
-
120
What are the effects of an excess of fat in the diet?
Overweight! Shortens lifespan
121
What are the effects of a deficiency of fat in the diet?
```
Poor wound healing
Dry coat
Scaly skin
Alopecia
Pyoderma
Oedema
Moist dermatitis
Reduced reproductive function
```
122
Describe the digestion and absorption of fats
Digestion starts in the stomach by the enzyme lipase.
In the SI, pancreatic juice contains pancreatic lipase which breaks down the fats. Bile also helps emulsify the fats.
Fats are then absorbed via the lymphatic system (lacteals in the villi) and then transported to the cysterna chyli, then the thoracic duct and then the bloodstream.
123
What are the functions of calcium?
```
Structural role in bones and teeth
Nerve impulse transmission
Muscle contractions
Blood coagulation/clotting
Cellular messaging / hormone secretion
```
124
What are the main sources of Calcium?
Bones meal
Dairy Products
Poultry
125
What does a deficiency in calcium cause?
growth retardation
nervous disturbances
reduced bone mineralisation (rickets, osteomalacia)
secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism
126
What does an excess in calcium cause?
impaired skeletal development, orthopaedic issues
kidney damage
uroliths containing calcium
127
What are the functions of phosphorous?
Structural role of bones and teeth
Vital component of nucleic acids (DNA), cell membranes (phospholipids) and ATP.
Necessary for acid-base balance and o2 delivery
128
What are the sources of Phosphorous?
```
Meats
Milk, eggs
Poultry
Fish
Veg
```
129
What does a deficiency in Phosphorous cause?
Same as Ca deficiency:
- decreased growth
- decreased bone mineralization (rickets and osteomalacia)
- can cause secondary hyperparathyroidism
- reduced fertility
- dull coat
130
What does an excess in Phosphorous cause?
causes hypocalcaemia
urolithiasis
soft tissue calcification
131
What are the functions of Magnesium?
Component of bone, enzymes and intracellular fluid
Carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism
Catalysing enzyme reactions
Promoting ATP production
Neuromuscular function and muscular contractions
132
What are the sources of Magnesium?
Bone meal
Meats
Oilseed
Grains and fibres e.g. bran
133
What does a deficiency in Magnesium cause?
```
Muscle Weakness (+ incoordination)
Soft tissue calcification
growth retardation
reduced bone mineralisation
neuromuscular hyperactivity (convulsions, seizures)
anorexia
```
134
What can excesses of Magnesium cause?
(Unlikely as uptake is regulated according to needs)
- formation of struvite crystals (urolithiasis)
135
What are the electrolytes?
Sodium, Potassium and Chloride
| Na, K and Cl-
136
What are the functions of the electrolytes?
Maintain osmotic balance in blood
Regulate acid-base balance
Nerve impulse
Muscle contraction
*Chloride is necessary for the formation of HCl in the stomach)
137
What are sources of electrolytes?
```
Common salt
Grain and fibres
yeast
soy bean
Fish
Poultry
Eggs
```
138
What does electrolyte deficiency cause?
Fatigue, lethargy, weak
Inability to maintain water balance
Anorexia
139
What can cause an electrolyte deficiency?
Vomiting and diarrhoea
140
What do excessive electrolytes cause?
Dehydration/ thirst
Constipation
Pruritus
141
What are the functions of Iron?
Essential for O2 transport
| Essential component of Haemoglobin and myoglobin
142
What are the sources of Iron?
Orang meats especially liver
grains
poultry
green vegetables
143
What does a deficiency in iron cause?
Anaemia (hypochromic microcytic anaemia)
Poor coat
Weakness and fatigue
144
What are the functions of zinc?
```
Immunocompetence, immunity
Skin health and wound healing
Growth
Reproduction
Nucleic acid metabolism
Protein synthesis
Carbohydrate metabolism
Hormone production
```
145
What are the sources of Zinc?
Meat
Dietary Fibre
Fish and Shellfish
146
What does a deficiency in Zinc cause?
```
Anorexia
Impaired reproduction
Skin lesions
Conjuctivitis
Poor growth in young animals
De-pigmentation of hair
Hyperkeratosis
```
147
What does an excess in Zinc cause?
Dietary excess rare
148
What breeds are predisposed to a Zinc deficiency even if dietary intake is adequate?
Alaskan malamute and Siberian Husky
149
What are the functions of copper?
Required for the formation of RBCs (haemopoiesis)
Required for normal pigmentation of hair and skin
Neurotransmitter function
Maintains connective tissue integrity
150
What are the sources of copper?
```
Offal meat (especially liver)
Fish
```
151
What does a deficiency of copper cause?
Hypochromic Microcytic anaemia (copper important in iron metabolism and Hb formation)
Reproductive failure
Coat depigmentation
152
What results due to excessive Copper in diet?
Interferes with iron and zinc metabolism
Can cause liver damage eventually
May cause anaemia
153
What breeds are predisposed to toxicities of copper ? Why?
Bedlington terriers and West Highland White Terriers
| As they cannot excrete it from the body
154
What are the functions of Selenium?
Immunity
Reproduction
Part of antioxidant system
- Has a sparing effect on Vitamin E
155
What are the sources of Selenium in the diet?
```
Fish
Eggs
Liver
Meat
Offal
Cereals
```
156
What can deficiency of selenium cause?
Not likely
May cause skeletal and cardiac muscle degeneration
157
What are the consequences of Selenium excess?
Not likely
158
What are the functions of iodine?
Thyroid Hormone Synthesis
159
What are the dietary sources of Iodine?
Fish
Grains
Meat Poultry
Eggs
160
What are the consequences of a Iodine deficiency?
Rare
Can cause Goiter (enlargement of thyroid gland)
Growth retardation
Reproductive failure
161
What are the consequences of an Iodine excess?
Very Rare
| Can cause Goiter again
162
Which nutrients highlight that a cat is carnivorous?
Taurine (EAA)
Arachidonic Acid (EFA)
Vit A
- natural sources of these are only supplied in animal tissues
163
Which vitamin is linked to Calcium: Phosphate balance?
Vitamin D
164
What is the function of Vitamin E?
Antioxidant function - combats the effects of free radicals
| can sometimes see an excess in cats fed a lot of oily fish
165
Which substance can induce a deficiency of vitamin K?
Warfarin (prevents blood clotting and causes a deficiency of vitamin K)
166
Which B vitamin is important in the synthesis of DNA?
Folic Acid
167
What is the function of Thiamine (B1)?
Enzyme reactions
168
What is the function of riboflavin (B2)?
Enzyme reactions and energy metabolism
169
What is the function of Niacin (B3)?
```
Oxidoreductive reactions
Tryptophan metabolism (EAA that's the precursor to serotonin)
```
170
What is the function of Pyridoxine (B6)?
Amino acid and lipid metabolism
neurotransmitter synthesis
taurine biosynthesis
171
What is the function of Pantothenic Acid?
Energy production
| Biosynthesis of Fatty Acids, Steroid hormones and cholesterol
172
What is the function of Folate/ folic Acid?
Nucleotide and phospholipid biosynthesis
Amino acid metabolism
Neurotransmitter production
Creatinine production
173
What is the function of Biotin?
Metabolism of lipids, amino acids and glucose
174
What is the function of B12 (Cobalamin)?
Methionine biosynthesis
| Carbon metabolism
175
What is another name for fibre?
Beta bonded polysaccharides
176
What is the name for short chains of carbohydrates?
Oligosaccharides
177
Where is Vit C synthesized from?
Glucose in the body of most animals
178
Describe the digestion of carbohydrates
In dogs, it begin in the mouth with the parotid gland secreting ptyalin into the saliva which digests carbs. Cats lack this stage.
Chewing helps the mechanical breakdown in the mouth.
A small amount of digestion occurs in the stomach with HCl and peptic acid acting on carbs along with the mechanical churning of the stomach.
Most of carb digestion occurs in the small intestine. Digestive juices contain disaccharidases which breakdown disaccharides to form monosaccharides.
The pancreas also releases amylase which breaks down starches.
The products of carb digestion are glucose, fructose and galactose.
179
Describe the structure of proteins
Made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Plus, nitrogen and sulphur.
The are complex organic compounds.
They are large molecules consisting of long chains of amino acids. There are 21 amino acids in dogs and these can be arranged in different ways.
180
Describe the key points relating to the nutritional content and sources of nutrients in dry diets formulated for dogs/
Highest nutrient content - carb -cheapest and well utilised by dogs. Source is usually cereals.
Protein- next highest - dogs require about 18%. Usually sourced from animal proteins e.g. chicken, meat meals etc.
The fat content is the next highest. Sourced from oils e.g. veg, sunflower.
Mineral and vitamins
Low moisture - dry food
Fibre
