Animal Husbandry Paper 2 May/June 2015

Question 1

 (a)      Name the five main regions of the vertebral column of a sheep.                                                                                                                                        [5 marks]
 (b)       State one specialized function of each of the regions of the vertebral   
                     column of a sheep.                                                                          [5 marks]

 (c)       Explain each of the following terms as used in Animal husbandry:

(i)           lactation;
(ii)        rumination.                                                                     [6 marks]

(d)     Give four reasons for providing a new-born calf with colostrum. [4 marks]

Observation

 

This question was fairly attempted by the candidates.  In 1(a-b), majority of the candidates could neither name the main regions of the vertebral column of a sheep nor state the specialized functions of the regions of the vertebral column of a sheep.
However, in 1(c)(i – ii), most of the candidates were able to explain the terms lactation and rumination. They were also able to give the reasons for providing a new-born calf with colostrum as required 1(d).
The expected answers include:               

1 (a)    Main regions of the vertebral column of a sheep

-           Cervical/neck region
-           Thoracic/chest region
-           Lumbar/abdominal region
-           Sacral/pelvic region
-           Coccygeal/caudal/tail region

(b)       Specialized functions of the regions of the vertebral column of a sheep

            Cervical/neck region: Allows head movement in all directions/supports the head

Thoracic/chest region: Site of attachment of the ribs/supports the ribs

Lumbar/abdominal region: Site of attachment of apaxial muscles and muscles for  breathing/supports the abdominal region

Sacral/pelvic region: Site of attachment of hind limbs/pelvic girdle

Coccygeal/caudal/tail region:  Site for insertion of the muscles that move the tail / supports the tail