Notes in General Biology 2 (Animal Nutrient)

Like the plants, animals also need a essential nutrients. Essential nutrients in animals is
divided into, essential elements and essential vitamins, but let us focus on the essential
vitamins.

Essential Vitamins and Physiology in Animals

Vitamins Function in Animals

D (calciferol) Involved in calcium absorption
A ( retinol) Regulation of bone cell activity
E ( tocopherol) Antioxidant
K (phylloquinone) Blood clotting
B1 (thiamine) Coenzyme nervous system and muscle
functions, etc.
B2 (riboflavin) Helps convert food (carbohydrate) into fuel
B3 (niacin) (glucose)
B6 (pyrodixine) Normal brain development and function

B5 (Pantothenic) Sex and stress-related hormone

B9 (folic acid) Proper brain function, mental and emotional
health
B7 (Biotin) Convert food into glucose to produce energy
B12 (cyahocobalamin) Helps in the production of DNA and RNA
C Synthesis of intercellular substances

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

It is an organ system that breaks down and absorbs nutrients that can body can use as
energy.

TWO PHASES

1. MECHANICAL PHASE- refers to breaking down of food which starts from the mouth
that that involves pushing of food down to esophagus to be mixed with digestive juices.

2. CHEMICAL PHASE- refers to further breakdown of food that can be pass through the
plasma membrane which requires the act of digestive enzymes within the mouth, stomach,
pancreas, and intestines.
ALIMENTARY CANAL

MOUTH- It refers to an organ that receives food and breaks down large molecules.

ESOPHAGUS- It transports chewed food (bolus) and liquid from mouth to stomach that is
made by wave like contraction (peristalsis)

STOMACH- Gastric juices are released in the stomach that assists in the digestion of the
bolus.

SMALL INTESTINE- It is where the final digestion takes place, wherein all nutrients are
being absorbed. DOUDENUM, JEJUNUM, and ILEUM.

LARGE INTESTINE- It is also known as colon. It is divided into ascending, transverse,

descending colons. It absorbs water from the undigested substances from the small intestine.
Feces refer to intestinal matter after water has been reabsorbed. The feces is stored in the
rectum and passed out through the anus.

ACCESSORY ORGANS

PANCREAS- It consists of small structure called islet of Langerhans that secretes insulin
with the purpose of maintaining blood glucose. Pancreas also produces pancreatic juice
which contains digestive enzymes.

-AMYLASE- digests starch to maltose

-TRYPSIN- digests proteins to peptides.

-LIPASE- digests fats to glycerol and fatty acids.

LIVER- It produces bile, which breaks fats by a process called emulsification.

GALL BLADDER- It acts as storehouse for bile.