Question 4
(a) State four ways in which livestock is important. [4 marks]
(b) (i) Mention six organs associated with the digestive system in rabbit.
(ii) State two functions of alimentary canal in livestock. [8 marks]
(c) (i) State four functions of the liver in farm animals.
(ii) Mention two parasites which could be found in the liver of cattle. [6 marks]
(d) State two differences between the digestive systems of a goat and a rabbit. [2 marks]
Observation
Question 4 was the most popular question and almost all candidates attempted it. Few candidates had spelling errors in question 4(b)(i) and 4(c)(ii); thus losing marks. In question 4(d), some candidates erroneously stated that a goat has four stomach instead of a stomach with four compartments.
The expected answers include:
(a) Importance of livestock
- Used in compounding feed for animals
- Provision of food for humans
- Source of income
- Source of power/draught/traction
- Means of transportation
- Provision of raw materials/organic manure/biofuel
- Used as bride price/dowry/gift
- Game and sports
- For educational research
- As pets
- Source of employment
- Source of foreign exchange
- Sign of wealth
(b) (i) Organs associated with the digestive system in rabbit
- Gall bladder/bile duct - Pancreas
- Liver - Caecum
- Mouth/teeth/tongue/salivary gland - Large intestine/colon
- Oesophagus/gullet/throat/gut - Anus/rectum
- Stomach
- Small intestine/duodenum/jejunum/ileum
(ii) Functions of the alimentary canal in livestock
- Ingestion - Digestion
- Absorption - Assimilation
- Excretion/egestion
(c) (i) Functions of the liver
- Secretion of bile
- Storage of glucose as glycogen
- Regulation of body temperature
- Detoxification of materials
- Fat metabolism
- Regulation of blood sugar
- Storage of minerals and vitamins
(ii) Parasites found in the liver
- Liver fluke
- Roundworm
(d) Differences between the digestive systems of a goat and a rabbit
Goat |
Rabbit |
Has four chambered stomach |
Possesses one stomach |
Complete defaecation |
Practices coprophagy/incomplete defaecation |
Harbours microbes in the rumen |
Harbours microbes in the caecum |
Provides fatty acids in the rumen |
Digestion further occurs in the caecum |
Synthesizes Vitamin B-complex in the rumen |
Vitamin B-complex is synthesized in the caecum |