Key nutrient groups

Question 1

3 marks

Explain what the biological value of a protein is a measure of

Answer 1

Biological value is a measure of how digestible, (1) utilisable (1) + acceptable (1) the protein is

Question 2

Do dogs and cats have an absolute requirement for carbohydrates in their diet?

A) Yes, they cannot survive without dietary carbohydrates
B) No, they can synthesize glucose from fats and proteins
C) Only cats require carbohydrates
D) Only dogs require carbohydrates

Answer 2

B) No, they can synthesize glucose from fats and proteins

Question 3

What is biological value a measure of?

A) Only protein digestability
B) Only carbohydrate digestability
C) How digestable, utilisable and acceptable that protein is
D) The amount of protein in a food

Answer 3

C) How digestable, utilisable and acceptable that protein is

Question 4

What characterizes proteins with high biological value?

A) High proportions of essential amino acids
B) Low digestability
C) High waste products
D) Low amino acid content

Answer 4

A) High proportions of essential amino acids

Question 5

3 marks

Explain what it means if a protein has a high biological value

Answer 5

1. High proportions of EAA (Essential Amino Acids) within them (1)
2. They closely resemble the requirements of the animal (1)
3. They are highly digestible + leave fewer waste products to be excreted by the body (1)

Question 6

5 marks..

Identify the factors that affect the relative requirements for fats in the diet of companion animals

Answer 6

1. Fat is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role for many functions in the body (1)
2. A relative proportion of fat is required in the diet to meet energy needs of animal (1)
3. Fat supplies highest volume of calories per gram (1)
4. Energy requirements depend on lifestage, BW, exercise levels + reproductive status (2)

Question 7

4 marks..

Identify 4 functions of fibre in a diet for dogs

Answer 7

Any of these..

1. Provides bulk for obese animals (1)
2. Adds bulk/gives form to faeces (1)
3. Regulates gut transit time - preventing constipation + diarrhoea (1)
4. Fibre improves glycaemic control in dogs w/DM (1)
5. Alters nutrient absorption + metabolism (1)
6. Helps maintain the structural integrity of gut mucosa (1)

Question 8

4 marks..

Explain the difference between digestable energy + metabolisable energy

Answer 8

• Digestable energy
  1. From food once it has been absorbed into the body after digestion in the digestive tract (1)
  2. Calculated as = Gross energy - Faecal losses (1)
• Metabolisable energy
  1. Energy that is utilized by the tissues (1)
  2. Calculated as = Digestable energy - Urinary losses (1)

Question 9

6 marks..

Describe the role of Vitamin D in regulating Calcium + Phosphorus levels in the body

Answer 9

1. Vit D influences the amount of these Ca + P absorbed from the GI tract + deposition into the bone tissue (1)
2. Stimulates the synthesis of Ca binding protein which is necessary for the absorption of Ca + P (1)
3. Mobilises Parathromone to release Ca from the bone (2) which causes phosphate reabsorption from the kidneys (1)
4. This further results in plasma levels of Ca + P being increased to required levels for normal mineralisation of the bone (1)

Question 10

3 marks..

Identify the possible implications of feeding a diet that is deficient in Iodine

Answer 10

1. Dietary deficiency is unlikely (1)
2. If does occur, can result in:
   * Goiter (swollen neck from enlarged thyroid gland)
   * Growth retardation
   * Reproductive failure
   (2)

Question 11

Explain what a non-essential AA is

Answer 11

• AA can be synthesised from other excess AAs
• So not required in the diet

Question 12

Give 2 examples of essential AAs required by dogs

Answer 12

1. Leucine
2. Methionine

Question 13

What affects the quality of protein?

Give 1 example of a protein with a BV of 100%

Answer 13

1. Acceptability, digestability, utilisabilty
2. Egg!

Question 14

State 5 functions of protein in the diet

Answer 14

Any of these…
1. Growth
2. Pregnancy
3. Lactation
4. Repair of damaged tissues
5. Dietary source of energy
6. Regulation of metabolisim (enzymes + hormones)
7. Part of structure of cell walls + muscle fibres
8. Provides strength with flexability in ligaments, tendons + cartilage
9. Involved in transport + storage of 02 in muscles (myogolbin)
10. Transport of other nutrients (lipids as lipoproteins)
11. Protection of the body against infections (antibodies)

Question 15

What are carbohydrates composed of?

Answer 15

1. Carbon
2. Hydrogen
3. Oxygen

Question 16

Give 1 example of a monosaccharide

Answer 16

1. Glucose
2. Fructose

Question 17

Name 3 sources of carbohydrates found commonly in pet foods

Answer 17

Cereals such as…
1. Wheat
2. Maize
3. Potatoes

Question 18

Name the 3 EFAs

Answer 18

1. Alpha-linolenic acid (Omega 3)
2. Linoleic acid (Omega 6)
3. Arachidonic acid (Omega 6)

Question 19

Name 6 ways in which water can be lost from the body!

Answer 19

1. Tears
2. Haemorrhage
3. V+
4. D+
5. Urine
6. Milk

Question 20

Define the term metabolisable energy

Answer 20

• Energy that is utilized by tissues
• Calculated as = digestable energy - urinary losses

Question 21

State the 4 main functions of Vitamin A

Answer 21

1. Component of visual pigments (rhodopsin) in the eye
2. Involved in the regulation of cell membranes
3. Essential for epithelial tissue, required for healthy skin, coat + mm
4. Required for normal development of bones + teeth

Question 22

Name 2 conditions related to a decficiency of Vitamin E in the diet

Answer 22

1. Pansteatitis
2. Skeletal muscle dystrophy
3. Reproductive failure
4. Impaired immune response in dogs

Question 23

Why is Vitamin K used as an antidote to Warfarin poisoning?

Answer 23

• Because it promotes (+involved) in blood clotting
• As Warfarin thins the blood + causes bleeding

Question 24

Name the water-soluble vitamins!

Answer 24

1. B
2. C

Question 25

State the 5 functions of Ca in the diet

Answer 25

1. Formation of bones + teeth 2. Blood clotting 3. Transmission of nerve impulses 4. Contraction of muscles 5. Component of milk

Question 26

Which mineral has to be considered when adding Ca into the diet?

Answer 26

Phosphorus

Question 27

Name the function of Copper in the diet

Answer 27

* Formation + activity of RBCs * Co-factor in many enzyme systems * Role in normal pigmentation of skin + hair

Question 28

Which mineral has functions that are closely related to Vitamin E?

Answer 28

Selenium

Question 29

True or False. Fat can saturated or de-saturated.

Answer 29

False. They can be saturated or **UN**-saturated