INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL SCIENCE

Final Examination

Answer the following questions:

1) What are the differences between monogastric digestive system and ruminant
digestive system? Why can ruminants easily digest cellulose but monogastric
animals can’t? (20 pts.)

Monogastrics have a single chambered stomach, but ruminants have a four-

chambered stomach. Ruminants are mostly herbivores, while monogastrics display all
sorts of feeding habits. The ruminant digestive system is more effective than the
monogastric system in breaking down food and processing nutrients. Ruminants
regurgitate the consumed food during digestion, but monogastrics do not do so.
Monogastric does not chew their cud while ruminant animals chew their intestines. And
lastly, ruminants have a more efficient digestive system compared to the monogastric
digestive system.

Monogastric animals are unable to digest cellulose due to lack of enzyme

cellulose. In ruminants, however, cellulose is digested in rumen with the aid of bacteria
present in rumen. Rumen is like a gut cavity in ruminants.

2) Why are animals rested before slaughter? Give a detailed explanation of the
chemical process involved. (20 pts.)

As the animal rests until the slaughter, the glycogen in the body is converted into
lactic acid with a lower pH (high acid) and the body and carcass are solid (rigor mortis).
This lactic acid is essential for the processing of red colored beef, which is tasty and
juicy, of high quality and high color.
3) Describe how each of these factors affect the health and growth of a swine: (10
pts. each)

a. Genetic potential

Genetic potential has a big role in the health and growth of the swine, not only in
swine but all of the living things. It majorly depends on the genetic information on how
an animal or swine grows. Based on a certain breed, it has a specific weight and height
that will meet with the accordance to its age. In health, it be influenced by genetic traits
on how an animal will response on a particular disease, if it is already immune or not. In
addition to that, there are some cases of inbreed or giving an offspring by a closely
related partners that may result to a foul bloodline such as physical abnormalities,
deformities and also short life-span of the swine.

b. Age

Newborn swine are mostly vulnerable to many diseases until it reaches its
maturity. There are also stages in the swine that it has high gain in weigh and growth. In
opposite to that, common health conditions associated with ageing. It has a big impact when it
comes to the health and growth of swine. As the swine undergo ageing, it also gradually
decreases its ability to bear an offspring and low resistance with diseases. And in growth, when
it reaches the maximum age of producing growth hormones, it will stop in growing.

c. Housing facilities

Proper accommodation and maintenance of pig facilities are important to their

well- and to the health and welfare of their staff. A good management system provides
for the climate, housing and treatment that allows pigs to grow, mature, replicate and
sustain good pig health. Strong housing facilities and well-trained and driven staff may
also provide high-quality animal care even in organizations with less than adequate
physical plants or equipment.
d. Swine physiology

Swine physiology refers to the normal functions of swine and their parts. By
deeply understanding it, we can learn more about swine on how we can improve them
in terms of its health and growth because it is depends to the every single components
of the swine anatomy that works as a whole.

e. Feed ingredients

Feeding has a direct impact on the growth rate, production capacity and health status of
the swine. Knowing the ingredient of your swine feed is better technique. You should
also know the types of high-protein ingredient and vitamins to and add it to the feed
ration to accelerate the growth of your swine. There are also other ingredients that can
be harmful and toxic to them if you do not monitor them properly. Feeding is the secret
to a productive and sustainable agriculture.

f. Water

The quality of the drinking water supplied to pigs is considered to be significant

and the low quality of the water is likely to have a negative effect on the growth output
and health of pigs. High levels of iron that stimulate bacterial growth and may cause
blocked water nipples, which are usually not a health threat.