ASC 378- EXAM 3 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE 2026

ASC 378- EXAM 3 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE 2026 Minerals - Answers inorganic elements that are required for the maintenance of good health and production Maco minerals - Answers Ca, P, Mg, Na, Cl, K, S micro (trace) minerals - Answers Fe, Mn, Cu, I, Zn, Cr, Co, Mo, Se, Fl Which minerals are normally not supplemented in diets because levels in feed ingredients are sufficient - Answers Mg, K, S Functions of mineral elements (4) - Answers 1. structural - component of teeth, bones 2. cofactors of enzymes (charge on metal ion can aid enzymes) 3. constituents of essential components inthe body 4. constituents of body fluids like blood, interstitial fluid, and intracellular fluid. Examples of constituents of essential components in body - Answers Fe in Hb I in thyroxine Co in Vit B12 S in methionine and biotin Mo in xanthine oxidase What are the constituents of body fluids? - Answers Blood, interstitial fluid, and intracellular fluid What is one function of body fluid constituents? - Answers Help maintain osmotic pressures to keep fluid in cells or in blood How do body fluid constituents help maintain normal blood pH? - Answers By acting as buffers What role do body fluid constituents play in the nervous system? - Answers They are involved in the transmission of nerve impulses What is one cause of mineral deficiencies? - Answers Suboptimal amount of feed What can cause a decrease in mineral absorption without being a deficiency? - Answers Imbalance of another mineral What condition can increase the rate of passage of elements through the gut or body? - Answers Scours What is a metabolic antagonist in relation to dietary minerals? - Answers It causes the animal to require more dietary minerals to overcome antagonism Which element is almost entirely excreted in feces? - Answers Copper What is one route of excretion for certain substances? - Answers Urine What are two routes of excretion for some substances? - Answers Both feces and urine Which element can be lost through sweat? - Answers Sodium (Na) Under what circumstances may iron (Fe) be lost from the body? - Answers Due to blood loss from wounds, disease, or menstrual cycle chelation - Answers A chelating agent binds a mineral to varying degrees and generally has the effect of sequestering, or isolating, the mineral from interactions with other compounds What is a nutritional significance of chelation? - Answers Chelation may bind trace elements in the diet and then release them at the site where needed, preventing other interactions during digestion. What is a medical function of chelation? - Answers Chelation removes certain isotopes or poisons from the body by binding them, allowing the complex to be excreted. Examples of natural chelators - Answers Hemoglobin - Fe Vit B12 - Co Cytochrome oxidase - Fe&Cu synthetic chelators - Answers EDTA - also acts as an anticoagulant by sequestering Ca++ ions, which are necessary for the clotting reaction Adequate Ca&P nutrition depends on 3 factors: - Answers 1. sufficient supply of Ca &P 2. a suitable ratio between the two (1:1 -2:1) 3. The presence of Vit D (increase Vit D = increase utilization) which minerals are integrated in metabolism, compose over 70% of the body's minerals and are quantitatively the 2 most important - Answers Ca & P What percentage of calcium is found in bones and teeth? - Answers 99% What percentage of phosphorus is found in bones and teeth? - Answers 80% What is the major structural component formed by calcium and phosphorus in bones? - Answers Hydroxy apatite crystals What is the typical calcium to phosphorus ratio in bone? - Answers 2:1 What is one major function of calcium in the body? - Answers Bone formation What percentage of calcium is found in soft tissues? - Answers About 1% In which soft tissues is calcium found? - Answers Blood serum and muscle Regulatory function Ca is necessary for (5) - Answers 1. Ca is Necessary for the blood clotting mechanism, along with vitamins D and K 2. neuromuscular activity - interacts with other minerals to control and regulate muscle and nerve reactions 3. enzyme activator ex: pancreatic lipase, succinic dehydrogenase, ATPase 4. osmoregulator in that it helps regulate the osmotic pressure of the cellular fluids of the body 5. helps maintain acid-base equilibrium of body fluids What is necessary for blood clotting? - Answers - Ca * (without Ca no blood clotting will occur) - vitamin D - Vitamin K How is Ca involved in neuromuscular activity - Answers Ca++ interacts with other minerals (Mg++, Na+, K+, H+) to control and regulate muscle and nerve reactions Ca++ deficiency can lead to tetany or continuous contraction; excess Ca++ can so impair muscle function that cardiac or respiratory failure may result How is Ca an enzyme activator - Answers activates pancreatic lipase, succinic dehydrogenase, ATPase How is Ca an osmoregulator? - Answers It helps regulate the osmotic pressure of the cellular fluids of the body Absorption of Ca - Answers occurs primarily in the proximal portion of the gut What condition helps keep calcium (Ca++) in solution for absorption? - Answers Acid condition Which vitamin is involved in the active transport of calcium and increases mucosal cell permeability to Ca++? - Answers Vitamin D How do high levels of phytic acid affect calcium absorption? - Answers They decrease absorption What effect does high oxalic acid have on calcium absorption? - Answers It reduces absorption What is the effect of excess phosphorus (P) on calcium absorption? - Answers It decreases absorption What hormone increases calcium absorption and storage? - Answers Estrogens How does age affect calcium absorption? - Answers It decreases absorption What is the excretion route for undigested and unabsorbed calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P)? - Answers Feces What does feces also contain besides undigested and unabsorbed calcium and phosphorus? - Answers Endogenous calcium and phosphorus (metabolized and re-excreted) Is apparent digestibility useful in determining the usefulness of dietary calcium and phosphorus sources? - Answers No, it is not very useful. Blood Ca usually about _____________? - Answers 9-12mg/100ml What is the primary source of blood calcium (Ca++)? - Answers Diet Is blood calcium readily influenced by dietary intake? - Answers No What hormone increases when serum calcium decreases? - Answers Parathyroid hormone What effect does parathyroid hormone have on blood calcium levels? - Answers It increases blood calcium by releasing calcium from bone. What hormone increases when serum calcium increases? - Answers Calcitonin What effect does calcitonin have on blood calcium levels? - Answers It decreases blood calcium. How is blood calcium maintained despite fluctuations in intake and losses? - Answers Under strict hormonal control What are examples of the effects of changes in serum Ca++ levels - Answers milk fever or parturient paresis Blood Ca++ is low, not due to low dietary intake but rather to... - Answers excessive drain on Ca with the onset of lactation and the parathyroid response What is a symptom of calcium deficiency related to growth? - Answers Reduced growth, especially bone. What are two neurological symptoms of calcium deficiency? - Answers Hyperirritability and tetany. How does calcium deficiency affect reproductive performance? - Answers It leads to poor reproductive performance. What condition is caused by calcium deficiency in growing bones? - Answers Rickets. What happens to bones in young animals with rickets due to calcium deficiency? - Answers Bones do not calcify properly and tend to bend under weight. What are the physical manifestations of rickets in animals? - Answers Bulging, swollen hocks; bones may buckle or fracture. What is osteomalacia? - Answers A condition in adults that involves a softening of the bone due to a decrease in mineral content. What are the potential consequences of osteomalacia? - Answers Weakness, deformity, and spontaneous fractures. What are possible causes of osteomalacia? - Answers Excess PTH, low blood calcium or phosphorus. How can pregnancy and lactation relate to osteomalacia? - Answers They may create a greater demand for calcium and phosphorus than what is assimilated from the diet. What species are most likely to be deficient in Ca++ and why? - Answers Swine and poultry Due to the very rapid growth rate and their diets, grains and protein concentrates are lower in Ca than roughages What percentage of phosphorus (P) in bone is associated with calcium (Ca++)? - Answers 80% What is the concentration of phosphorus (P) in whole blood? - Answers ~35-45 mg P/100 ml Where is most of the phosphorus (P) in whole blood found? - Answers In red blood cells (RBCs) What is the concentration of inorganic phosphorus (P) in plasma? - Answers ~4-9 mg/100 ml What factors govern inorganic phosphorus (P) levels? - Answers The same factors that promote calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) assimilation What organ plays an important role in maintaining phosphorus (P) balance? - Answers The kidneys What percentage of phosphorus (P) is involved in bone formation? - Answers 80% What percentage of phosphorus (P) is involved in organic reactions as an enzyme or coenzyme constituent? - Answers 20% What is phosphorus (P) necessary for in carbohydrate metabolism? - Answers Phosphorylation What is the product of glucose phosphorylation? - Answers Glucose-6-P What role does phosphorus (P) play in electron and H+ transfers? - Answers It is a component of NAD and NADH. What is phosphorus (P) a constituent of? - Answers ATP What biological molecules contain phosphorus (P)? - Answers Nucleoproteins, phosphoproteins, DNA, RNA, phospholipids absorption of P - Answers 1. active absorption primarily in the distal duodenum 2. absorbed mainly as free phosphate What element's presence favors the absorption of phosphorus? - Answers Potassium What levels of minerals are normal for good phosphorus absorption? - Answers Normal levels of Ca, Fe, Mg, and some trace minerals Which vitamin is essential for good phosphorus absorption? - Answers Vitamin D What type of medium favors the absorption of phosphorus? - Answers Acid medium What is more of a problem for phosphorus absorption than for calcium absorption? - Answers Low phytic acid What are minerals in the context of animal nutrition? - Answers Inorganic elements essential for various bodily functions. What are the two categories of minerals? - Answers Macro minerals and micro (trace) minerals. Name three macro minerals. - Answers Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Magnesium (Mg). What is the primary function of calcium in the body? - Answers It is a major structural component of bones and teeth. What role does Vitamin D play in calcium metabolism? - Answers It enhances the absorption and utilization of calcium. What is the typical calcium to phosphorus ratio in bones? - Answers Usually 2:1. What hormone increases calcium levels in the blood? - Answers Parathyroid hormone (PTH). What hormone decreases blood calcium levels? - Answers Calcitonin. What are some causes of mineral deficiencies in animals? - Answers Suboptimal feed amounts, mineral imbalances, and increased metabolic demands. What is chelation in relation to minerals? - Answers A process where a chelating agent binds a mineral, isolating it from other compounds. What is the significance of chelation in nutrition? - Answers It may help in the absorption of trace elements and remove toxins from the body. What is the primary route of excretion for minerals? - Answers Feces, urine, sweat, and blood loss. What condition can result from calcium deficiency in growing animals? - Answers Rickets, leading to improper calcification of bones. What are the symptoms of milk fever? - Answers Tetany, convulsions, coma, and potentially death due to low blood calcium. What is osteomalacia? - Answers A softening of bones in adults due to decreased mineral content. How does estrogen affect calcium absorption? - Answers Estrogen increases calcium absorption and storage. What is the effect of high levels of phytic acid on calcium absorption? - Answers High levels decrease calcium absorption. What is the role of calcium in blood clotting? - Answers Calcium is necessary for the blood clotting mechanism. What can excessive calcium lead to? - Answers Impairment of muscle function, potentially causing cardiac or respiratory failure. What is the primary site of calcium absorption in the gut? - Answers The proximal portion of the gut. What mineral is primarily involved in the formation of hemoglobin? - Answers Iron (Fe). What is the role of sodium (Na) in the body? - Answers It helps maintain osmotic pressure and fluid balance. What is the consequence of a calcium deficiency in adult animals? - Answers It can lead to osteomalacia and reduced bone strength. What trace mineral is essential for the synthesis of Vitamin B12? - Answers Cobalt (Co). What is the function of magnesium (Mg) in the body? - Answers It acts as a cofactor for many enzymes. What can result from an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus? - Answers Decreased absorption of either mineral, leading to deficiencies. What is the typical blood calcium level range in animals? - Answers About 9-12 mg/100 ml. What is the relationship between calcium and muscle function? - Answers Calcium interacts with other minerals to regulate muscle contractions. What percentage of phosphorus (P) is found in bone? - Answers 80% of phosphorus is found in bone. What is the normal range of inorganic phosphorus in plasma? - Answers 4-9 mg/100 ml. What role do kidneys play in phosphorus balance? - Answers Kidneys maintain phosphorus balance. What is one function of phosphorus in the body? - Answers Bone formation. What is the primary site of phosphorus absorption? - Answers Distal duodenum. What vitamin is essential for good phosphorus absorption? - Answers Vitamin D. What condition can result from phosphorus deficiency? - Answers Rickets or osteomalacia. What is pica in grazing animals? - Answers A depraved appetite marked by chewing on bones or wood due to phosphorus deficiency. What is the role of magnesium in the body? - Answers Bone formation and enzyme activation. What is the primary site of magnesium absorption? - Answers Small intestine (ileum) and rumen of ruminants. What can result from magnesium deficiency? - Answers Hyperirritability, muscular twitching, and grass tetany. What is grass tetany? - Answers A condition characterized by low magnesium levels in blood, nervousness, and convulsions. What is the main function of sodium, potassium, and chlorine in the body? - Answers Maintain osmotic pressure and acid-base balance. What are the consequences of sodium, potassium, and chlorine deficiency? - Answers Lack of appetite, weight loss, and physiological changes. What is the typical distribution of magnesium in the body? - Answers 70% in the skeleton and 30% in body fluids/tissues. What is the significance of the calcium to phosphorus ratio in swine? - Answers It affects average daily gain and overall health. What is the role of sulfur in the body? - Answers Most sulfur is bound in proteins and amino acids like cystine and methionine. How is sulfur primarily absorbed in the body? - Answers In organic form as amino acids, mainly cystine and methionine. What is the main excretion route for sulfur? - Answers Both feces and urine, with urine containing inorganic sulfate. Why might sulfur supplementation be necessary for ruminants? - Answers To support microbial synthesis of sulfur-containing amino acids when using non-protein nitrogen (NPN). What is the effect of high ammonia levels on magnesium absorption? - Answers High ammonia levels may decrease magnesium absorption. What is the average blood magnesium level? - Answers 2-3 mg/100 ml. What are some sources of magnesium? - Answers Grasses, alfalfa, animal protein supplements, and grains. What is the relationship between magnesium and nerve irritability? - Answers Magnesium helps decrease nerve irritability. What happens to magnesium levels during dietary deficiency? - Answers About one-third of skeletal magnesium can be mobilized to blood. What is the role of vitamin D in relation to calcium and phosphorus? - Answers Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of both calcium and phosphorus. What are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency in animals? - Answers Weakness, stepping syndrome, and convulsions. What is the primary function of electrolytes like Na, K, and Cl? - Answers They help maintain normal fluid volume and acid-base balance. What is the primary cation in extracellular fluid (ECF)? - Answers Sodium (Na) What percentage of sodium is typically found in the body? - Answers ~0.2% What is the main function of sodium in the body? - Answers Regulating osmotic pressure and acid-base balance How is sodium primarily absorbed in the body? - Answers Rapidly absorbed from the small intestine What is the main route of sodium excretion? - Answers Mainly via kidneys What are the symptoms of sodium deficiency in animals? - Answers Decreased feed consumption, poor growth, and emaciation What is the dietary requirement of sodium for animals? - Answers 0.1 - 0.2% of dietary intake What is the primary intracellular cation in the body? - Answers Potassium (K) What percentage of potassium is typically found in the body? - Answers ~0.2% How is potassium primarily absorbed in the body? - Answers Absorbed from the small intestine What is the main route of potassium excretion? - Answers Mainly via kidneys What are the functions of potassium in the body? - Answers Osmotic pressure regulation, acid-base balance, muscle contraction, and nerve impulses What are the symptoms of potassium deficiency? - Answers Reduced growth, heart lesions, and muscular aches What is the dietary requirement of potassium for most animals? - Answers 0.2 - 0.3% of the dry ration What is the primary function of chlorine in the body? - Answers Osmotic pressure regulation and gastric secretion What percentage of chlorine is typically found in the body? - Answers ~0.1% How is chlorine absorbed in the body? - Answers Absorbed from the small intestine What is the dietary requirement of chlorine? - Answers 0.05 - 0.1% of diet What is the role of sodium chloride in animal diets? - Answers Provides a source of sodium and chloride What is the typical free choice intake of salt for wintering beef cows? - Answers About 1/2 oz. (14-15 g) per head per day What can happen with excessive salt intake in animals? - Answers Excess water retention or edema What is the importance of maintaining electrolyte equilibrium? - Answers It is crucial for osmotic pressure maintenance and acid-base equilibrium What is the main source of sodium and chloride in animal diets? - Answers Sodium chloride (table salt) How do sodium, potassium, and chlorine interact in the body? - Answers They work together to maintain electrolyte balance and homeostasis What is the effect of potassium deficiency on dairy cows? - Answers Reduced feed intake, milk yield decline, and potential death What are the milliequivalents of sodium, potassium, and chlorine in a diet? - Answers Calculated based on their percentages and molecular weights What is the role of sodium in generating nerve action potentials? - Answers It is crucial for muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission What happens to animals on a potassium-deficient diet? - Answers They may experience muscular weakness and other health issues What is the significance of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB)? - Answers It ensures that the requirements for sodium, potassium, and chlorine are met What are minerals? - Answers Inorganic elements required for maintenance of good health and production. What are macro minerals? - Answers Minerals required in larger amounts, including Ca, P, Mg, Na, Cl, K, S. List some micro (trace) minerals. - Answers Fe, Cu, Co, I, Zn, Mn, Se, Mo, Fl, Cr, Ni. What percentage of iron in the body is found in hemoglobin? - Answers 70% of the iron. Where is the chief storage site of iron in the body? - Answers The liver. What factors influence iron absorption? - Answers Acid condition, adequate dietary protein, histidine and lysine, body's need for iron, low phytic acid level. What is the primary function of iron in the body? - Answers Cellular respiration, facilitating oxygen utilization. What is anemia? - Answers A condition where red blood cells (RBCs) are not renewed as rapidly as they are destroyed. What are the causes of anemia? - Answers Pathological, hemorrhagic blood loss, hereditary, nutritional. What are the classifications of anemia based on cell size? - Answers Normocytic, macrocytic, microcytic. What are the classifications of anemia based on hemoglobin concentration? - Answers Normochromic, hypochromic, hyperchromic. What is the significance of copper in hemoglobin synthesis? - Answers Copper acts as a catalyst in hemoglobin synthesis and plays a role in RBC maturation. What are some symptoms of copper deficiency? - Answers Diarrhea, loss of appetite, anemia, and neurological issues in newborn lambs. What is enzootic ataxia? - Answers A condition in newborn lambs due to low copper content in the dam during pregnancy, characterized by nervousness and abnormal gait. What happens to wool in copper deficiency? - Answers Wool loses its crimp and becomes stringy or 'steely.' What is the normal excretion route for copper? - Answers 90% of copper is excreted in feces, mostly unabsorbed. What can excessive molybdenum cause? - Answers It may interfere with copper metabolism and precipitate a copper deficiency. What is the effect of copper toxicity in sheep? - Answers Feeding high levels can result in hemolytic jaundice. What is the role of copper in enzyme activity? - Answers Copper influences about 10-12 enzymes, including tyrosinase for melanin production. What is the typical lifespan of red blood cells? - Answers About 127 days. What is the main route of absorbed iron excretion? - Answers Via urine. What is the relationship between iron and copper in treating anemia? - Answers Copper is necessary for hemoglobin synthesis and can help treat iron-deficiency anemia. What is the significance of histidine and lysine in iron absorption? - Answers They chelate iron for better absorption. What is the condition of a pig with iron deficiency anemia? - Answers Listlessness, wrinkled skin, paleness around eyelids, ears, and nose. What is the impact of iron deficiency on high producing hens? - Answers They have a unique need for iron due to high amounts deposited in eggs. What is the effect of copper deficiency on feather pigmentation? - Answers It can lead to graying of black hair and wool. What are the signs of copper deficiency in lambs? - Answers Delayed-swayback condition and paralysis. What is the primary function of cobalt in animals? - Answers Cobalt is a constituent of the Vitamin B12 molecule. What are the symptoms of cobalt deficiency? - Answers Symptoms include general malnutrition, listlessness, loss of appetite and weight, weakness, anemia, degeneration of liver fat, and hemosiderin deposits in the spleen. What type of anemia is associated with cobalt deficiency? - Answers Normocytic, normochromic anemia. What is the minimum cobalt requirement for animals? - Answers The minimum requirement is not yet established, but 0.1 ppm is considered adequate. How can cobalt be supplemented in cattle and sheep? - Answers By providing 15 g of cobalt sulfate per 100 kg of salt for free choice feeding. What is the role of iodine in the body? - Answers Iodine is a constituent of the hormone thyroxine, which regulates the metabolic rate. What condition results from iodine deficiency? - Answers Goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. What are the two types of goiter caused by iodine deficiency? - Answers Simple (endemic) goiter and exophthalmic goiter. What is simple goiter primarily caused by? - Answers A lack of iodine, often developing during periods of increased needs like pregnancy and puberty. What are the symptoms of exophthalmic goiter? - Answers Symptoms include hyperactivity and an above-normal rate of metabolic activity. What happens to offspring of iodine-deficient pregnant animals? - Answers Offspring may exhibit goiter, weakness, stillbirths, or hairless conditions. What is the effect of thyroidectomy in adult animals? - Answers It results in premature aging, mental and physical sluggishness. What is the consequence of cobalt deficiency in a heifer? - Answers Severe emaciation and low hemoglobin levels, which can be reversed with cobalt supplementation. What is the role of thyroxine in the body? - Answers Thyroxine regulates the general body metabolic rate. What is the relationship between iodine and thyroxine? - Answers Thyroxine contains about 65% iodine and is synthesized in the body when iodine is present. What are the effects of thiourea and thiouracid on the thyroid gland? - Answers They suppress the gland's action and metabolic processes, potentially increasing fat deposition. What is a positive diagnosis of cobalt deficiency based on? - Answers A positive response to cobalt feeding. What is the significance of cobalt bullets in animal nutrition? - Answers They provide a slow release of cobalt over several months. What is the typical weight difference between a cobalt-deficient lamb and a control lamb? - Answers The cobalt-deficient lamb weighed 22 kg, while the control lamb weighed 42 kg. What is a common symptom of hypothyroid conditions? - Answers Low metabolic rate and a tired condition. What is a common symptom of hyperthyroid conditions? - Answers High metabolic rate and hyperactivity. What is the source of the information regarding cobalt and iodine deficiencies? - Answers USDA Agr. Inf. Bull. 299, 1965. What is the role of diiodotyrosine in the thyroid gland? - Answers It is present in thyroglobulin, which is involved in the synthesis of thyroxine. What happens to animals that are iodine deficient during pregnancy? - Answers They may give birth to weak offspring or experience stillbirths. What is the effect of cobalt deficiency on blood hemoglobin levels? - Answers Cobalt deficiency can lead to low hemoglobin levels in the blood. What is the effect of potassium thiocyanate on pigs? - Answers It causes signs of hypothyroidism. What was the average weight difference of goitrous thyroids in pigs fed a basal diet versus those given supplemental iodine? - Answers Goitrous thyroids averaged almost 6 times greater in weight without iodine. What are the consequences of iodine deficiency in foals? - Answers Foals are born weak and usually die due to inability to stand and suckle.