Theory question 104
Animal Nutrition(a) Explain the term animal nutrition.
(b) State four functions of oestrogen in animal reproduction.
(c) Explain each of the following methods of animal improvement: (i) selection; (ii) breeding; (iii) introduction.
(d) What are ornamental plants?
(e) State four vegetative methods that could be used to propagate ornamental plants.
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(a) Animal nutrition is the feeding of animals with the right quantity and quality of feed, and the processes by which the animal takes in, digests, absorbs and uses the nutrients for maintenance and production.
(b) Any four: causes heat (oestrus) signs; develops female secondary sexual characters; prepares the uterus lining for implantation; develops the mammary glands; stimulates contraction of uterine muscles; controls the oestrous cycle.
(c)(i) Selection: choosing animals with desirable traits as parents and culling the poor ones.
(ii) Breeding: mating chosen animals (inbreeding, line breeding, cross breeding, AI) to produce offspring with better qualities.
(iii) Introduction: bringing in improved animals from another region or country to rear or to mate with local stock.
(d) Ornamental plants are plants grown for their beauty (flowers, leaves, shape) to decorate homes, offices, gardens and public places.
(e) Any four: stem cuttings; layering (marcotting); budding; grafting; division of suckers/clumps; bulbs, corms, rhizomes.
Each improvement method needs a one-line explanation.