Question 4
- (a) State five objectives of animal improvement. [5 marks]
- (b) Mention five signs that indicate that a pregnant animal is approaching parturition.
[ 5 marks ]
- (c) Name two disease causing organisms in livestock production. [ 2 marks ]
- (d) Copy and complete the table below.
Nutrient |
One function |
One deficiency symptom |
Calcium |
|
|
Iodine |
|
|
Vitamin A |
|
|
Vitamin E |
|
|
[ 8 marks ]
Observation
This question was also popular among the candidates. In 4(a-c), most of the candidates were able to state the objectives of animal improvement, mention the signs that indicate that a pregnant animal is approaching parturition as well as name disease causing organisms in livestock production but they could not give a function and a deficiency symptom of calcium, iodine, vitamin A and vitamin E as required in 4(d).
The expected answers include:
(4) (d) Completion of the table
Nutrient |
Function |
Deficiency symptom |
Calcium |
- Bone / teeth / egg shell formation |
- Rickets |
Iodine |
- Thyroxin formation |
- Hairlessness / alopecia |
Vitamin A |
- Good vision |
- Low disease resistance |
Vitamin E |
- Reproduction / prevents sterility |
- Reproduction failure/ Sterility |