ANIMAL NUTRITION

General Biology 2 Rex Book pp. 41-45

Prepared by: Ms. Glydel Poblete
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
At the end of lesson, the learners should be able to:

● describe animal systems in terms of nutrition;

● describe examples of homeostasis and the major features of
feedback loops that produce such homeostasis; and
● explain how organisms maintain steady internal conditions from
specialized structures and processes.
In the course of evolution, animals
have formed ways to obtain, process,
and digest food as heterotrophs.
How do animals
OBTAIN, PROCESS
&
DIGEST
food?
Heterotrophic nutrition in
animals varies depending on
their feeding habit and mode of
nutrition.
 Types of heterotrophs based on Food Habits
Herbivores Carnivore Omnivore Detritivores

• an organism • an organism that • an • Detritivores

that mostly mostly eats meat, organism (aka
feeds on or the flesh of that eat decomposers)
plants. animals. both plants • Organisms that
• Examples: • Sometimes called and feed on the
Deer, cow, and predators. animals. remains of
buffalo, Organisms that • Examples: plants, animals
grasshoppers carnivores hunt are Humans, and fecal
and rabbits called prey. bears, and matter.
• Examples: Tiger, foxes Examples:
wolf, and crocodile Bacteria, fungi,
worms, and
insects
Herbivores
Carnivores
Omnivores
 Types of heterotrophs based on the Mode of Nutrition
Parasitic Saprophytic Holozoic

• an organism • organisms (saprophytes) • an organism

(parasite) lives on obtain food from the dead consumes a variety
the body surface or and decaying matter, like of organic material,
inside the body of an organic matter of dead which then
another type of animals and plants. undergoes a series
organism (host) to • Example: Fungi, some of metabolic
obtain nutrition protists, bacteria, etc. processes such as
• 2 types: digestion, absorption,
• Ectoparasites like and assimilation.
ticks and lice
• Endoparasites such
as tapeworm and
ascaris
Parasitic Saprophytic Holozoic
What nutrition do
animals need?
Basic organic compounds that animal
needs:
• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Protein
Additional nutrient requirements
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Water
 Fatty acids and Amino acids
- obtained either from gut symbionts or direct food sources.

Vitamins
- organic compounds that are only needed in minute amounts but
essential for metabolic functions.
- Water-soluble vitamins - regularly consumed
- Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A,D, E, K) - readily stored in the body.

Minerals
- needed for ion exchange, body component, and ATP production.
- Mostly utilized as enzyme cofactor or as part of a transport system.
 Table 2.1. Essential Elements and Physiology in Animals
ELEMENTS FUNCTION IN ANIMALS
Calcium Component of bone and teeth; involved in blood clotting, muscle, and nerve
function
Chlorine Formation of HCI in stomach; acid-base balance; and nerve function

Copper Component of enzymes involved in the synthesis of melanin, hemoglobin, and

iron metabolism
Fluorine Maintenance of bone and teeth
lodine Component of thyroid hormone
Iron Component of hemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochromes, and electron carriers

Magnesium Muscle and nerve function; coenzyme

Phosphorus Component of bone, ATP, DNA, and RNA
Potassium Acid-base balance, water balance, and neural function
Sodium Acid-base balance, water balance, and neural function
Sulfur Component of body proteins
Zinc Components of digestive enzymes
 Table 2.2. Essential Vitamins and Physiology in Animals

VITAMINS FUNCTION IN ANIMALS

A (retinol) Synthesis of retinal pigments; regulation of bone cell activity;

maintain healthy epithelial tissues
D (calciferol) Involved in calcium absorption, bone growth, and
mineralization
E (tocopherol) Antioxidant
K (phylloquinone) Blood clotting
B1 (thiamin) Coenzyme in energy production; maintains the normal
function of the nervous system
B2 (riboflavin) Coenzyme in cellular respiration; helps convert food
(carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose)
B3 Niacin Coenzyme in cellular respiration; helps convert food
(carbohydrates) into fuel
 Table 2.2. Essential Vitamins and Physiology in Animals

VITAMINS FUNCTION IN ANIMALS

B6 (pyridoxine) Coenzyme in amino acid metabolism; normal brain development and

function; essential hormones production

B5 Pantothenic acid Part of coenzyme-A for carbohydrate and lipid synthesis and
break down of fats and carbohydrates for energy; red blood cells
production; sex and stress-related hormones
B9 Folic acid Coenzyme in nucleic acid synthesis and amino acid metabolism;
proper brain function, mental, and emotional health
B7 Biotin Coenzyme in carbon dioxide fixation; converts food into glucose
to produce energy: activates protein/amino acid metabolism
B12 cyanocobalamin Coenzyme in nucleic acid metabolism; healthy nerve cells; helps
in the production of DNA and RNA
C Synthesis of intercellular substances; aids in resistance to
infection; carbohydrate metabolism
How are these nutrients
being processed?
 Once an
organism Feeding
This is followed
obtained by enzymatic
begins with
the food, digestion
physical
the next involving
digestion by
hydrolytic
process is grinding or
enzymes and a
to digest it chewing.
whole range of
to pass digestive
through the enzymes.
gut wall.
Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
 Digestion Process

https://youtu.be/URrXh0LJ6JE?si=MCzp4N39GujuJuC1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=gprOYW2ypf2ASp83&v=a0yGDipKWlo&feature=youtu.be
 Digestive Enzymes
Compound
Digestive Enzyme Organ, Glands That Secretes It
It Digests
Amylase Salivary Glands, Pancreas Amylose (Polysaccharide)
Sucrase Small Intestine Sucrose (Disaccharide)
Lactase Small Intestine Lactose (Disaccharide)
Lipase Salivary Glands, Pancreas Lipid
Pepsin Stomach Protein
Trypsin Pancreas Protein
Chymotrypsin Pancreas Protein
Deoxyribonuclease Pancreas DNA
Ribonuclease Pancreas RNA
Nuclease Small Intestine Small Nucleic Acids
 Absorption of Digested
food
Absorption process by which
digested food molecules are
absorbed into the bloodstream
and transported to different
parts of the body.
Absorption is achieved by the
following mechanisms.
1.Simple diffusion
2.Active transport
3.Facilitated transport
4.Passive transport
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nonjzzCSUU
 Table 3. Absorption in the Alimentary Canal
Breakdown Absorption Entry to
Food Destination
products mechanism bloodstream
Co-transport with Capillary blood in Liver via hepatic
Carbohydrates Glucose
sodium ions villi portal vein
Co-transport with Capillary blood in Liver via hepatic
Carbohydrates Galactose
sodium ions villi portal vein
Facilitated Capillary blood in Liver via hepatic
Carbohydrates Fructose
diffusion villi portal vein

Co-transport with Capillary blood in Liver via hepatic

Protein Amino acids
sodium ions villi portal vein
 Table 3. Absorption in the Alimentary Canal
Breakdown Entry to
Food Absorption mechanism Destination
products bloodstream
Diffusion into intestinal cells, Systemic circulation
Lipids Long-chain fatty acids where they are combined with Lacteals of villi via lymph entering
proteins to create chylomicrons thoracic duct

Diffusion into intestinal cells, Systemic circulation

Lipids Monoacylglycerides where they are combined with Lacteals of villi via lymph entering
proteins to create chylomicrons thoracic duct

Capillary blood in Liver via hepatic

Lipids Short-chain fatty acids Simple diffusion
villi portal vein
Capillary blood in Liver via hepatic
Lipids Glycerol Simple diffusion
villi portal vein

Nucleic acid digestion Active transport via membrane Capillary blood in Liver via hepatic
Lipids
products carriers villi portal vein
 Process of Nutrition in Animals
Ingestion - process of taking in food.
Digestion- larger food particles are broken down
into smaller, water-soluble particles. There are
physical or chemical processes for digesting food.
Absorption- digested food is absorbed into the
bloodstream through the intestinal wall.
Assimilation- absorbed food is used for energy,
growth and repair of body cells.
Egestion- The undigested food is removed from
the body in the form of feces.
Diversity of Digestive
Processes
 Diversity of Digestive Processes
Phagocytosis
▪ The most common form of digestion adapted by both
unicellular and multicellular animals
▪ It involves an intracellular digestion through fusion of
food vacuole and lysosome.
▪ However, most animals use extracellular digestion,
which involves secretion of the enzyme where
chemical break down occurs outside the cell.
Animals with blind sac body plan

Cnidarians
 Animals with blind sac body plan

Cnidarians

Platyhelminthes
Animals with two-way opening
Some animals develop coelom
 COELOMATES

Chordates
Some animals like arthropods are able to
develop special mouthparts
 Vertebrates have developed jaws and teeth that allow large
chunks of food to be ingested and mechanically processed.

Dracula Fish (Carnivorous fish) Parrot Fish (Herbivorous fish)

In mammals, the teeth are more specialized
depending on the function.
 Four Main Feeding
Mechanisms of Animals
Filter feeding
Substrate Feeding
Fluid Feeding
Bulk Feeding
References:
General Biology 2 Rex Book pp. 41-45

https://www.sciencefacts.net/heterotroph.html

https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-digestive-enzymes-1945036

https://byjus.com/biology/nutrition

https://guides.hostos.cuny.edu/bio140/5-20

https://guides.hostos.cuny.edu/bio140

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-ap2/chapter/chemical-digestion-and-absorption-a-closer-look/