Summarizing Nutrition and Energy Production

Summary

Animal diet should be balanced and meet the needs of the body. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the primary components of food. Some essential nutrients are required for cellular function but cannot be produced by the animal body. These include vitamins, minerals, some fatty acids, and some amino acids. Food intake in more than necessary amounts is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscle cells, and in fat cells. Excess adipose storage can lead to obesity and serious health problems. ATP is the energy currency of the cell and is obtained from the metabolic pathways. Excess carbohydrates and energy are stored as glycogen in the body.

Glossary

essential nutrient

nutrient that cannot be synthesized by the body; it must be obtained from food

mineral

inorganic, elemental molecule that carries out important roles in the body

vitamin

organic substance necessary in small amounts to sustain life