Major Minerals in Animal Production and Health – Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, and Sulphur

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What is the primary symptom of hypomagnesemic tetany in ruminants?
a) Alkalosis
b) Nervousness and convulsions
c) Excessive thirst
d) Thin eggshells
Answer: b) Nervousness and convulsions

2. Which mineral is the main extracellular cation?
a) Potassium
b) Sodium
c) Magnesium
d) Chloride
Answer: b) Sodium

3. Sulphur is a component of which of the following?
a) Hemoglobin and insulin
b) Thiamine, biotin, and coenzyme A
c) ATP and RNA
d) Hydrochloric acid
Answer: b) Thiamine, biotin, and coenzyme A

4. What is a common source of magnesium supplementation in animals?
a) Bone meal
b) Ground limestone
c) Magnesium oxide
d) Cereal grains
Answer: c) Magnesium oxide

5. Which mineral is part of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in gastric secretions?
a) Sodium
b) Potassium
c) Chloride
d) Sulphur
Answer: c) Chloride

6. What is the primary symptom of sodium deficiency in hens?
a) Thin eggshells
b) Reduced protein/energy utilization
c) Weakness and tetany
d) Convulsions
Answer: b) Reduced protein/energy utilization

7. What role does potassium play in the animal body?
a) Bone formation
b) Regulation of osmotic pressure and acid-base balance
c) Enzyme activation
d) Protein synthesis
Answer: b) Regulation of osmotic pressure and acid-base balance

8. In ruminants, sulphur is required for the synthesis of what compounds?
a) Nucleotides
b) Sulphur-containing amino acids
c) Carbohydrates
d) Enzymes
Answer: b) Sulphur-containing amino acids

9. What is a rare symptom of potassium deficiency under natural conditions?
a) Alkalosis
b) Retarded growth and tetany
c) Dehydration
d) Lower egg production
Answer: b) Retarded growth and tetany

10. Which mineral deficiency is most likely to result in alkalosis?
a) Magnesium
b) Potassium
c) Chloride
d) Sodium
Answer: c) Chloride

True or False

1. Magnesium deficiency in poultry commonly results in reduced egg production and thin eggshells.
Answer: True

2. Sodium is the main intracellular cation, while potassium is the main extracellular cation.
Answer: False

3. Hypomagnesemic tetany is also called grass staggers or lactation tetany.
Answer: True

4. Ruminants can utilize inorganic sulphates to meet their sulphur needs.
Answer: True

5. Potassium deficiency is common in animals under natural conditions.
Answer: False

Fill in the Blanks

1. Magnesium plays a critical role in __________ phosphorylation, leading to ATP formation.
Answer: oxidative

2. Chloride is an essential part of __________ acid in gastric secretions.
Answer: hydrochloric

3. Sulphur is a key component of sulphur-containing amino acids like __________ and __________.
Answer: methionine, cysteine

4. Excess sodium chloride can lead to __________ toxicity, causing symptoms like thirst, muscular weakness, and edema.
Answer: salt

5. The main extracellular anion responsible for acid-base balance is __________.
Answer: chloride

Subjective Questions

1. Discuss the symptoms, causes, and prevention strategies for hypomagnesemic tetany in ruminants.
Answer:
Symptoms of hypomagnesemic tetany, also known as grass staggers or lactation tetany, include nervousness, tremors, twitching of facial muscles, a staggering gait, and convulsions.

• Causes:
  • Low blood magnesium due to poor dietary intake, rapid grass growth (low magnesium content), or high potassium intake interfering with magnesium absorption.
• Prevention Strategies:
  • Supplement diets with magnesium oxide or calcined magnesite.
  • Use magnesium-rich feed sources like wheat bran or linseed cake.
  • Provide mineral licks containing magnesium.

2. Explain the roles of sodium, potassium, and chloride in maintaining fluid balance and their deficiencies in animals.
Answer:

• Roles:
  • Sodium maintains extracellular fluid balance and acid-base equilibrium.
  • Potassium regulates intracellular osmotic pressure and is vital for muscle and nerve function.
  • Chloride is a key component of gastric hydrochloric acid and contributes to acid-base regulation.
• Deficiencies:
  • Sodium: Leads to dehydration, poor growth, and reduced energy utilization.
  • Potassium: Rare but causes growth retardation and muscular weakness.
  • Chloride: Rare deficiency that may result in alkalosis due to excess blood bicarbonate.