“Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus” Quiz

December 2010 Issue of Forage for Thought

 

 

 

Answers and explanations shown below

 

1.       Most (99%) calcium is found in the bones and teeth, but the one percent that’s in the blood is used for:

a.        Skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation

b.      Heart muscle pumping

c.       Digestive tract motility

d.      Nerve conduction

e.       Blood clotting

f.       None of the these choices are correct – calcium is only used for bone strength

g.      All of the choices (a through e) are correct

 

2.      Calcium works with phosphorus. The ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio is:

a.       2:1

b.      1:2

c.       4:1

d.      1:4

e.       10:1

 

3.      Mature, healthy horses can tolerate a calcium to phosphorus ratio as high as 6:1

a.       True

b.      False

 

4.       All of the following are higher in phosphorus than calcium, except:

a.       Oats

b.      Flaxseed meal

c.       Rice bran

d.      Alfalfa

e.       Sunflower seeds

 

5.      If the diet contains more phosphorus than calcium, it can lead to:

a.       Improper growth

b.      Bone deterioration

c.       Weakened skeleton

d.      a, b, and c are true

e.       none of the choices are true

 

6.      Most grass hays have more calcium than phosphorus.

a.       True

b.      False

 

7.      Magnesium works with calcium to promote muscle function.

a.       True

b.      False

 

8.      A magnesium deficiency can result in:

a.       Muscle tremors and soreness

b.      Behavioral problems (irritability, nervousness, inattention)

c.       Ataxia (wobbliness and lack of coordination)

d.      a, b, and c are correct

e.       a and c are correct, but magnesium is not involved in behavior

 

9.      Magnesium lowers insulin levels in the blood.

a.       True

b.      False

 

10.  There should always be more calcium than magnesium in the diet.

a.       True

b.      False

 

 

 

All of these questions are discussed in detail in Chapter 5 – Fundamentals of Minerals in Feed Your Horse Like A Horse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

 

1.      G

2.      A

3.      A

4.      D

5.      D

6.      A

7.      A

8.      D

9.      A

10.  A

 

1.      Most (99%) calcium is found in the bones and teeth, but the one percent that’s in the blood is used for:

a.        Skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation

b.      Heart muscle pumping

c.       Digestive tract motility

d.      Nerve conduction

e.       Blood clotting

f.       None of the these choices are correct – calcium is only used for bone strength

g.      All of the choices (a through e) are correct

 

“G” is the correct answer.  Calcium plays many roles in the body even though the vast majority of it is in the bones and teeth.

 

2.      Calcium works with phosphorus. The ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio is:

a.       2:1

b.      1:2

c.       4:1

d.      1:4

e.       10:1

 

“A” is correct – There should always be more calcium than phosphorus in the diet, preferably twice the level.

 

3.      Mature, healthy horses can tolerate a calcium to phosphorus ratio as high as 6:1

a.       True

b.      False

 

“A” is the answer – calcium can be as much as six times the level of phosphorus and still be well tolerated.

 

4.       All of the following are higher in phosphorus than calcium, except:

a.       Oats

b.      Flaxseed meal

c.       Rice bran

d.      Alfalfa

e.       Sunflower seeds

 

“D” is the correct answer – Alfalfa and other legumes, as well as grasses, have more calcium than phosphorus. Seeds, grains, and bran have more phosphorus.

 

5.      If the diet contains more phosphorus than calcium, it can lead to:

a.       Improper growth

b.      Bone deterioration

c.       Weakened skeleton

d.      a, b, and c are true

e.       none of the choices are true

 

“D” is correct – phosphorus must never exceed calcium to protect bones from malformations and loss of mass.

 

6.      Most grass hays have more calcium than phosphorus.

a.       True

b.      False

 

“A” is correct. An exception is Orchardgrass, which can often contain more phosphorus than calcium. Therefore, it is best to have it tested.

 

7.      Magnesium works with calcium to promote muscle function.

a.       True

b.      False

 

“A” is correct. Muscles require both magnesium and calcium for proper contraction and relaxation.

 

8.      A magnesium deficiency can result in:

a.       Muscle tremors and soreness

b.      Behavioral problems (irritability, nervousness, inattention)

c.       Ataxia (wobbliness and lack of coordination)

d.      a, b, and c are correct

e.       a and c are correct, but magnesium is not involved in behavior

 

“D” is correct – magnesium is involved in muscles as well as the nervous system and behavior.

 

9.      Magnesium lowers insulin levels in the blood.

a.       True

b.      False

 

“A” is correct which is why insulin resistant horses benefit from magnesium supplementation.

 

10.  There should always be more calcium than magnesium in the diet.

a.       True

b.      False

 

“A” is correct – 2:1 Calcium to Magnesium is ideal and it can be as high as 1:1 but never more magnesium than calcium.