Final answer:
Animals require a well-balanced diet that provides necessary nutrients and additional additives when necessary. Essential nutrients are consumed from food and play vital roles in various biological processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Animals require a well-balanced diet that provides the necessary nutrients, minerals, and vitamins for their bodily functions, maintaining structure, and reproductive capability. Sometimes, additional nutrients are needed in the diet to address specific health or conditional requirements. This is achieved by adding additives, such as vitamins and minerals, as necessary. These additives can replace nutrients lost in processing (enrichment) or supplement nutrients that may be lacking in the diet (fortification).
Essential nutrients are substances that the animal body cannot produce and must be consumed from food. The body relies on these nutrients for various biological processes, including ATP production and biosynthesis of complex molecules needed for growth, maintenance, and reproduction. These essential nutrients are consumed in very minute quantities as secondary foods.
In summary, balancing the animal diet and providing necessary additives ensure that animals receive the nutrients they need for their health, reproduction, and cellular functions.