| Term | Definition |
| recall and describe the function of the mitochondria | Found in the cytoplasm. Are responsible for energy production (i.e. the site of respiration). |
| Define a genetic correlation | Genetic Association Among Traits: selection for one particular characteristic, may have a positive or a negative effect on another. This is because more characteristics or traits are controlled by a combination of genes, rather than one single gene. |
| identify some management decisions that are based around the biological resources of a property | breed of animal grown, time of year and the crop selected, type of animal - e.g. sheep are not suitable in speargrass country, pigs are not suitable in humid areas without air conditioning |
| recall and describe the function of the chloroplast | Contain chlorophyll, which is essential for the photosynthetic activities of the cell. |
| Describe the difference between a systems model of a farm and the actual farm | Models are simplified so a complex system can be described easily. This will include some estimation, so may not be completely accurate. The systems model may also fail to include some unexpected limitations - such as drought/natural disasters |
| Define physiology | The study of the functions of the animal body or any of its parts |
| identify and describe examples of employment and economic opportunities in agricultural production systems across a range of industries | farmers, jillaroos and jackaroos, accountants, teachers, fruit pickers, fruit packers, agronomists, animal nutritionists, feed millers, governesses, cooks and cleaners, business managers |
| explain why nutrition affects reproduction | Nutrition has an effect on:
Maturity rate
Ovulation rate
Lactation
Birth weight and survival rate of offspring |
| recall and describe the function of the vacuole | A fluid filled space within the cytoplasm bounded by a membrane. It functions as a reservoir to hold food and waste products. |
| describe the process of dioestrous when the female is not pregnant | Without pregnancy the uterus will release prostaglandin and the animal will renter proestrus |
| Define extensive agriculture | an agricultural production system that uses small inputs of labour, fertilisers and capital, relative to the land area being farmed; extensive agricultural properties are usually large in size. e.g. rangeland cattle production |
| Describe subsystems in the systems model | smaller parts of the agricultural system with a different activity |
| recall the function of the vas deferens in the male reproductive system | transfer of sperm to the urethra |
| Isolated System | A theoretical system where energy and matter do not enter or leave the system. |
| recall the function of the sigmoid flexure in the male reproductive system | holds penis (reproductive organ) inside sheath to protect it until time of service |
| recall the function of FSH | causes the ovaries to develop a follicle –fluid filled sac around the egg. The follicle releases oestrogen in response to the FSH. (female). Facilitates Sperm Production (male). |
| recall the function of the Vas Deferens | connects the testes to the urethra which is the exit site of both sperm and urine |
| Define animal husbandry | controlled cultivation, management, and production of domestic animals, including improvement of the qualities considered desirable by humans by means of breeding |
| recall the function of LH | LH rates increase the day prior to oestrous and stimulate the release of the ovule (female). Stimulates the production of testosterone (male) |
| recall the function of progesterone | Known as the 'pregnancy hormone'. Stimulates the growth of the lining of the uterus and prevents the release of prostaglandin by the uterus to maintain pregnancy. |
| describe human and biological resources | living resources on the property including animals and plants |
| Name the compartments of a ruminant digestive system | Ruminant stomachs have four compartments: the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum and the abomasum. |
| Define Heritability | a statistical estimate of how much phenotypic variation in a population is due to genetic variation amongst individuals within that population. The highest possible heritability is 100%, but anything over 30% is considered to be high. |
| Describe a limiting factor in animal production | if production is limited by an environmental factor (eg nutrition), improvement of this factor will have a much greater effect on increasing productivity than attempts to improve the quality of the livestock through genetics. |
| explain the effect of environment and genotype on the phenotype of an animal | Genotype - the genetic make up of the animal
Phenotype - the physical appearance of the animal as a result its genes and the environment.
The environment includes all non-genetic factors such as climate, nutrition, disease and stress P = G + E |
| name some examples of accessory digestive organs and their function | Tongue = chewing and swallowing feed, Salivary glands
= produce saliva for lubrication and contains enzymes for digestion, Pancreas = gland that secretes enzymes for digestion
Liver = filters blood from digestive tract before passing to rest of body |
| Describe interactions in the systems model | Relationships between subsystems in the model. |
| Describe a Sole Trader | A form of business structure where the person trading is the individual legally responsible for all aspects of the business |
| Describe three main differences between monogastrics and ruminants | Four chambers vs one chambered-stomachs, ruminants will have larger caecums, the rumen is full of bacteria and fungi for fermentation of carbohydrates |
| identify some management decisions that are based around the physical resources of a property | Physical - fencing off similar soil types, choosing to put tanks on elevated areas to gravity feed watering points, topography - not to crop on steep slopes and using grazing animals instead. |
| recall the major organs of the musculoskeletal system | the combination of the muscular and skeletal systems working together; includes the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments of the body |
| Define Anatomy | The study of the structure of organisms, especially the internal structure |
| recall the function of the cervix in the female reproductive system | muscular tube that closes and prevents entry into the uterus (it will open monthly for fertilisation and during birth). During artificial insemination the equipment will pass through the cervix to ensure sperm deposit in the uterus. |
| describe a monogastric digestive system | An organism with a single chambered stomach
Digests grains and protein easily using amylase |
| Describe Land Tenure | It describes the manner in which a party holds or occupies an area of land. In Qld this can be Freehold or Leasehold land. |
| recall the function of prostaglandin | Released by the uterus. Causes the CL to regress lowering the levels of progesterone in the blood stream |
| recall the difference between open, closed and isolated systems in terms of the flow of energy and matter | Open - energy and matter flow freely in and out of the system e.g. farm. Closed - energy flows in and out of the system, matter does not flow in or out. e.g. a rainforest. Isolated systems - a theoretical system where E&M do not flow in or out. |
| explain why age affects reproduction | Very young animals have irregular cycles, immature sperm and a tendancy to abandon their young
Middle aged females have the highest percentage of live offspring and fertility declines after this |
| describe polyestrous animals | females will continue to cycle until they become bred |
| describe seasonally polyestrous animals | Cycle only during certain times of the year (e.g. Breeds of Sheep) |
| recall the four types of disease | metabolic,
genetic,
microbial and
metazoal |
| outline the process of inbreeding | The mating of close relatives (brothers with sisters, mothers with sons, etc)
Produces a uniform line of animals
Can also bring together undesirable genes such as dwarfism in cattle (inbreeding depression) |
| describe how some management decisions can impact reproduction | Avoid using very young or old stock
Use breeds and animals best suited to the region
Culling inferior and less productive animals
Supply animals with adequate food, water and shelter
Drench and vaccinate against diseases and parasites |
| Distinguish between Continuous and Seasonal Breeding | Continuous breeding occurs throughout the year, while seasonal breeding is limited to breeding within specific seasons. |
| Describe Succession | The process of planning how and when to pass ownership of an agricultural enterprise to another entity |
| explain why breed affects reproduction | Some breeds are more fertile than others eg British breeds are more fertile than Bos indicus breeds in cattle and Border-Leicester sheep are more fertile than Merino sheep |
| Summarise Mandatory Practical P2 | Observe, collect and record information on the physical and biological resources of a production unit including soil, climate, vegetation and topography. |
| Closed Systems | Energy can enter and leave the system, but matter does not flow freely in and out. The Nitrogen Cycle is an example of a closed system. It is self-sustaining. |
| recall the examples of organs from the female reproductive tract and their functions | Ovary – produces follicles, when a follicle bursts, this contains the egg (ovum).
Fallopian tube: site of fertilisation
The fertilised egg moves down the fallopian tube towards the uterus
Body of the uterus: site of implantation. |
| Recall the advantages and disadvantages of using Progeny testing information to improve animal production | The evaluation of an animal through performance of its progeny e.g. milk and egg production.
Males produce many more offspring during his lifetime than a female, the progeny test is applied more widely to males.
It takes years to gather data. |
| Define intensive agriculture | any industry that involves a comparatively higher level of inputs especially capital, labour and fertiliser per unit of land; characterised by low fallow ratios and higher yields. e.g. feedlot/piggery |
| Recall some traits that are highly heritable or have low heritability | Traits associated with reproduction and survival have low heritabilities.
Later growth and carcase traits (i.e. fat and muscle) have relatively high heritabilities. |
| outline the process of Crossbreeding | Involves the mating of unrelated animals of different breeds of the same species. The crossbred progeny, or hybrids, are usually more vigorous in growth and less likely to be susceptible to disease than either of the parents (hybrid vigour) |
| recall the function of the seminiferous tubes | inside the testes is the site of sperm production |
| recall the function of the corpus luteum (CL) | The follicle releases the ovum and LH causes the former follicle to create a Corpus Luteum (CL). CL produces progesterone
Stimulates the growth of the lining of the uterus to prepare to nourish the embryo. |
| recall the major organs of the ruminant digestive system | Oesophagus, reticulum, rumen, omasum, abomasum, small intestine, caecum, large intestine |
| recall the stages of oestrous | Proestrous
Oestrous
Metoestrous
Dioestrous |
| identify a range of agricultural animals of regional significance | pork along the east coast south of Rockhampton, cattle inland (Bos indicus further north, Bos taurus in the south and west of the tick line), poultry near high population areas e.g. South East Qld |
| Define breed | a stock of animals or plants in a species having a distinctive appearance and typically developed by deliberate selection |
| recall the function of the epidiymis | a storage site for sperm cells, they fully mature here over a period of approximately two weeks. It also connects to the vas deferens which takes the sperm to the prostate gland where accessory secretions are added to the sperm. |
| describe anestrous animals | Not cycling (Milking) or animals are too young to breed |
| recall and describe the function of the nucleus of the cell | A body found in nearly all cells which contains DNA of the cells and is the control centre of all cell function |
| outline the process of Line Breeding | A type of inbreeding based on a single common ancestor (a sire or dam) used over several generations of mating
A high degree of uniformity of type and production are obtained in a herd or flock |
| Recall the limitations of breedplan and EBV's | You cannot compare different breeds - +1 for Brahman is not the same as +1 for Hereford.
Breeders need to be honest.
There needs to be adequate numbers of the breed available to compare. |
| discuss how an animal producer can modify or control the environment to have less of an impact on an animal’s phenotype | External Influences - Temperature, Light, Nutrition
Internal Influences - Internal body functions, Hormones, Age |
| recall and describe the hierarchical structure of organisation of cells, tissues, organs and systems. | cells are the basic building blocks, that join together to create tissue. Different tissues are organised together to make organs and multiple organs are combined together in an organ system. |
| recall the function of the vagina in the female reproductive system | site of sperm deposits during natural mating. Highly acidic and spermicidal. |
| Define EBV's | An animal’s breeding value can be defined as its genetic merit for each trait.
While it is not possible to determine an animal’s true breeding value, it is possible to estimate it.
A numerical way of comparing the traits to the breed average. |
| identify the different types of agricultural production animals | includes both vertebrates and invertebrates - dairy and beef cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, fish farms, prawn farms, cricket farms, fly farms, bees, poultry |
| recall the function of oestrogen | responsible for behavioural changes in the female prior to heat.
e.g. Standing to be bred
Mounting
Bellowing
Restlessness |
| explain why climate affects reproduction | Climate and season effect on nutritional supply and breeding season.
Decreasing day length stimulates ovulation in sheep.
Cold temps are a problem for newly hatched chickens because they have trouble regulating their body temp |
| recall the major organs of the avian digestive system | crop, oesophagus, proventriculus, gizzard, small intestine, caeca, large intestine, cloaca |
| recall the order of processes in the reproductive cycle | Ovulation - the release of female sex cells or ova
Heat - when the female is receptive to the male; around the time of ovulation
Copulation - sexual intercourse
Fertilisation
Gestation
Parturition
Lactation - producing milk for offspring |
| Define an agricultural enterprise | agronomic or husbandry management practices performed with financial decisions implemented in the pursuit of producing a plant or animal product |
| Summarise Suggested Practical P3 | practice graphing data for a range of industries and interpreting changes over time. |
| define and describe breed plans (animal genetic tools) | National genetic evaluation programs that give an animal’s estimated breeding values (EBV) for characteristics such as meat quality and feed conversion efficiency |
| Describe partnerships | A form of business structure where a number of people carry the business on together |
| Name three organ systems of a mammal | Musculoskeletal, Digestive, Reproductive, Endocrine, Cardiovascular |
| recall the function of the vulva in the female reproductive system | accessory sex organ on the outside of the female. Will swell when animals are ready to mate. |
| Describe a Company | A form of business structure that is a separate legal entity. The company has the same rights as a person so can incur debt, be sued and sue |
| identify and describe physical resources, | non-living resources on the property including soil, water, machinery, infrastructure |
| compare advantages and disadvantages of using different genetic tools to assist in improving animal production | Rapid turnover of generations (faster than other genetic tools)
Useful for traits of medium to high heritability
Requires cooperation with other breeders
Breeders need to be honest |
| identify and describe different business structures for property | examples include partnerships, companies, land tenure, family farms and succession |
| Recall the parts of a system | A system that is made up of inputs, outputs, boundaries, subsystems, processes, interactions, feedback and monitoring |
| recall the major organs of the monogastric digestive system | teeth, mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, caecum, rectum and anus |
| recall and describe the function of the cell wall | Usually rigid and protects structures within the cell. Composed mainly of lignin. The cell wall is found ONLY in plant cells. |
| Define Crossbreeding | the mating of unrelated animals of different breeds of the same species. New genes are brought into the flock or herd
The crossbred progeny are usually more vigorous in growth and less likely to be susceptible to disease than either of the parents |
| recall the function of the prostate gland | Secretions from the Prostate gland help with mobility and survival of the sperm |
| recall and describe the function of the Golgi Apparatus | Found in the cytoplasm. Function is isolating and transporting molecules out of the cell. |
| Define infrastructure | the basic physical and organisational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of an enterprise |
| Recall where testosterone is produced in males | Cells located next to the seminiferous tubes in the testes |
| Define Hybrid vigour or heterosis | the improved performance of a crossbred species compared to the average performance of its parents. |
| recall examples of animal genetic tools | breed plans and EBVs |
| define and describe estimated breeding values (EBV) (animal genetic tools) | Records the Animals’ own Performance
Animals are compared with others of the same age, that are reared under similar conditions and are then compared with group average
When comparing a weight (birth weight, 200 day weight), +1 is equivalent to 1kg. |
| identify the important animal and plant enterprises in local and regional areas of Queensland as well as those of national significance | SE Qld - chickens, Southern Qld - cattle and cropping, Central Queensland - cattle and cropping, Western Qld - sheep and cattle, Northern Qld - cattle, horticultural crops, sugar cane |
| recall and describe the function of the plasma membrane | Covers all of the cell organs. Composed mainly of lipids and protein. It is found in all cells. |
| recall the function of the epididymis in the male reproductive system | storage of sperm; allow sperm to mature (to swim forward and to fertilise an egg) |
| Open Systems | Energy and matter enter and leave the system.
A farm system is considered open, therefore inputs are needed. |
| recall examples of assisted animal reproductive technologies | artificial insemination (The process of inseminating live semen into the female reproductive tract to produce a calf) and embryo transfer (transferring a fertilised embryo into a surrogate) |
| describe and explain the function and interaction of reproductive hormones | testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone, prostaglandin, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and oxytocin |
| describe and explain breeding systems that are important to animal production | crossbreeding, line breeding, continuous and seasonal breeding |
| Recall the advantages and disadvantages of using Pedigree information to improve animal production | includes information on ancestors, full siblings, half siblings to predict genetic performance
Advantages: Accurately analyses ancestors
Disadvantages: Only useful if information contains performance records of high heritability and is accurate |
| Summarise Suggested Practical P1 | Simulate, construct or represent appropriate model/s for an agricultural system (contextualised using a relevant local example) showing inputs, outputs, boundaries, subsystems, processes and interactions between subsystems. |
| recall the function of the seminiferous tubules in the male reproductive system | production of seminal fluid which combines with sperm to form semen. The fluid is high in sugars to nourish the sperm |
| Compare the physical characteristics of different types of agricultural animals and relate them back to their environment/feeding behaviour | e.g. Bos indicus versus Bos taurus for cattle production in tropical climates) - length of coat, size of ears, hump for fat storage and surface area, secretion of oil for pest resistance |
| Recall the hormone responsible for milk letdown in cows | Oxytocin |
| recall examples of advanced animal reproductive technologies | cloning and genetic engineering. The development of new genetic technologies in animal production can lead to improved animal performance. |
| identify and explain the factors that affect reproduction in agricultural animals | genetics, environment, nutrition, pests and disease and management |
| explain why disease affects reproduction | Diseases such as vibriosis in cattle and brucellosis in sheep affect fertility. (microbial)
Parasites such as liver fluke and worms affect the overall health of the animal. (Metazoal) |
| describe why sperm cells contain more mitochondria | Found at the base of the sperm head, they provide energy for the motility of the sperm |
| define fertility | the ability of male and female animals to produce viable germ cells, mate, conceive and deliver normal living young. |
| Define System | an assemblage of components that are
united by some form of interaction and interdependence and that operate within a prescribed boundary to achieve a specified agricultural objective on behalf of the beneficiaries of the system |
| recall and describe the function of the cytoplasm | A jelly like substance that contains all of the living material in the cell that is enclosed within the cell membrane (with the exception of the nucleus). |
| Identify one of the reproductive hormones discussed | Prostaglandin, Progesterone, Lutenising Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Oestrogen |
