Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Mineral Percentage in Body Weight
Mineral constituents comprise how much % of body weight of an animal?
- 1%
- 3% — Correct Answer
- 5%
- 7%
Explanation:
Correct Answer: 3%
Mineral constituents (ash) comprise approximately 3% of total body weight in animals. The major minerals in order are: Ca (1.33%) → P (0.74%) → K (0.19%) → Na (0.16%) → S (0.15%) → Cl (0.11%) → Mg (0.04%).
Body Composition of a Fat-Free Animal
| Component | % of Fat-Free Body | % of Total Body Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Water | ~75% | 60–70% |
| Protein | 20–22% | ~17–20% |
| Ash (minerals) | ~3% | ~3% |
| Ratio (Water:Protein:Ash) | 19:5:1 | — |
Major Mineral Composition of Animal Body
- Ca (1.33%) → largest mineral fraction; primarily in bones and teeth.
- P (0.74%) → second largest; bones, ATP, nucleic acids.
- Ca and P are the major inorganic components of animals.
- K and Silicon are the major inorganic components of plants.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- 1% → too low; only some individual trace minerals (e.g., Na) are near 0.1–0.2%.
- 5% → overestimates mineral content; ash is around 3% of body weight.
- 7% → significantly overestimates; no established source supports 7% body mineral content.
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.
