Animal Form and Function: Nutrition and Digestion

in #hive-128780yesterday

▶️ Watch on 3Speak


In this video I discuss how animals obtain energy and nutrients from food via the digestive system. Animals are heterotrophs since they feed on other living organisms for energy and organic compounds. The amount of energy stored in food is quantified based on the amount of heat emitted when burnt with oxygen, and has units of calories or kilojoules. Digestion of the food is done through a tubular tract that extends from the mouth to the anus, which breaks down food into small molecules that get absorbed by the blood. The remaining food that does not get absorbed are stored as indigestible waste and excreted as feces.

40 Animal Nutrition.jpeg

Time stamps

  • Animals are heterotrophs as they feed on living organisms to obtain energy and organic compounds: 0:00
  • Excess chemical energy is stored as lipids (fats) for future use and some as glycogen for more immediate use: 3:08
  • Illustration of the chemical makeup of the human body: 6:46
  • Digestive system is a tubular tract from the mouth to the anus to breakdown food: 9:07
  • Animation of peristalsis, moving objects through a tube via contraction and relaxation: 10:23
  • Diagram of different digestive systems of fish: 11:23
  • Vertebrate animals also have accessory glands such as the liver and pancreas to assist in digestion: 16:03
  • Diagrams showing small intestine, large intestine, and surrounding organs: 19:11
  • Images of vestigial remnants in humans: Wisdom teeth, tailbone, third eyelid, goosebumps, and Palmar grasp reflex: 26:43

Full video below


Become a MES Super Fan! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUUBq1GPBvvGNz7dpgO14Ow/join

DONATE! ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ https://mes.fm/donate

SUBSCRIBE via EMAIL: https://mes.fm/subscribe

MES Links: https://mes.fm/links

MES Truth: https://mes.fm/truth
Official Website: https://MES.fm
Hive: https://peakd.com/@mes

Email me: contact@mes.fm

Free Calculators: https://mes.fm/calculators

BMI Calculator: https://bmicalculator.mes.fm
Grade Calculator: https://gradecalculator.mes.fm
Mortgage Calculator: https://mortgagecalculator.mes.fm
Percentage Calculator: https://percentagecalculator.mes.fm

Free Online Tools: https://mes.fm/tools

iPhone and Android Apps: https://mes.fm/mobile-apps


▶️ 3Speak

Sort:  

!summarize

Part 1/9:

Understanding Nutrition and Digestion in Animals

Nutrition and digestion are fundamental processes for all animals, classified as heterotrophs, as they derive energy and organic compounds from consuming other living organisms. Animals acquire food through several methods, including targeting visible objects, collecting minute particles, or relying on microbes for essential nourishment. This discussion aims to break down the essential principles of nutrition, digestion, and the digestive system.

The Science of Energy in Food

Part 2/9:

Energy contained in food can be quantified as heat, measured in calories or kilocalories (kcal). When food is combusted with oxygen, it releases energy in the form of heat. Two primary definitions of calorie are widely recognized: the small calorie (cal), which refers to the energy needed to heat 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius (°C), and the large calorie (kcal), typically found on nutrition labels, signifying the energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by the same degree. One kilocalorie is equivalent to 1,000 small calories.

Part 3/9:

In scientific terms, calories relate to the metric and SI (International System of Units) systems. Notably, one calorie equals approximately 4.184 joules, the SI unit of energy, leading to one kilocalorie equating to approximately 4,184 joules. The body stores excess energy primarily as lipids (fats) for future utilization and glycogen for immediate energy needs.

Nutritional Molecules: Macronutrients and Micronutrients

Food molecules serve as vital building blocks for growth and development. Nutritional molecules are categorized into two groups: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, while vitamins and minerals constitute the micronutrient category.

Part 4/9:

Vitamins, organic compounds necessary for metabolic functioning, must be acquired through diet as they cannot be sufficiently synthesized by organisms. Examples of essential nutrients include vitamin C, which some species can synthesize while others cannot, thereby defining it as a vitamin only for those that cannot make it.

Minerals, on the other hand, are chemical elements vital for life processes. The primary structural elements of the human body include oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen, which represent about 96% of body weight. It’s essential to differentiate minerals—often referred to as macro-minerals and trace elements—from the various vitamins.

The Digestive System: An Overview

Part 5/9:

The digestive system consists of a tubular tract extending from the mouth to the anus, responsible for breaking down food into absorbable molecules. Food travels through this passage via a process called peristalsis—waves of muscle contraction and relaxation that propel food along the digestive tract.

Upon ingestion, food is stored in the stomach and subjected to acidic processing before moving into the small intestine, which is the primary site for nutrient absorption. The process continues into the large intestine, where remaining waste is compacted before elimination.

Key Components of the Digestive System

The human digestive system features several key components, including:

  • Mouth and Esophagus: Where mechanical digestion begins.

Part 6/9:

  • Stomach: Acts as a storage and digestive site where food is mixed with gastric acids.

  • Small Intestine: Comprising the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, where most nutrients are absorbed.

  • Large Intestine: Responsible for reabsorbing water and salt, and storing waste material.

  • Accessory Organs: Such as the liver and pancreas, which produce bile and pancreatic juices to aid digestion.

Understanding Digestion in Marine Fishes

Part 7/9:

In various marine fish species, distinct digestive structures are evident. For example, many fish possess specialized digestive components like the pyloric caeca, which increase the surface area for nutrient absorption. Additionally, they may have a gizzard, a muscular organ used for grinding food with the help of ingested particles, indicative of the adaptations in different species to optimize digestion.

The Role of Essential Nutrients

Essential nutrients can be further classified into minerals, vitamins, and essential amino acids. Macrominerals (like calcium and potassium) are required in larger amounts, while trace minerals (such as zinc and copper) are needed in trace amounts. This classification helps understand the diverse dietary requirements across species.

Part 8/9:

For example, while calcium is necessary for bone health, other minerals play essential roles in various metabolic processes.

The Appendix: A Vestigial Organ

The human appendix, once deemed vestigial, may hold symbiotic functions, such as serving as a reservoir for beneficial gut bacteria. The concept of vestigial organs refers to structures that may no longer serve their original purpose but can retain minimal functions or develop new roles over time.

Conclusion: The Intricacies of Digestion

Part 9/9:

Understanding digestion and nutrition is a complex subject encompassing various biological processes and structures in different organisms. The digestive system effectively breaks down food, allowing for nutrient absorption crucial for growth and energy. Analyzing these processes underscores not only the importance of diet in animals but also showcases the fascinating adaptations that have evolved over time to meet their nutritional needs.