22/11/2016

There are different types of energy

• Chemical

Energy for life

• Stored in gunpowder; food
• Electrical
• Stored in a battery; in cells by the distribution of electrolytes (ions) across
These slides put together information mentioned in Lectures 1, 4, 7 & the cell membrane
21. However, energy is essential for functioning of all organ systems. • Mechanical
Some additional explanations are included. • Energy of movement: a car driving; a person walking, pumping of blood
around the body, moving contents of the digestive tract onwards, breathing

Cells require energy for transport, synthesis Metabolism refers to all of the chemical
and movement reactions that occur within the cells
• Transport of some substances across cell membranes • Anabolism is the chemical processes whereby complex molecules are
• Eg sodium and potassium ions synthesised from simple ones, and energy is stored
• Synthesis of complex molecules • Eg protein synthesis as a part of growth
• Eg protein as a part of growth • Catabolism is the chemical processes whereby complex molecules are
• Movement broken down with the release of energy in a form that can be used by
• Contraction of all types of muscle
cells, and also heat
• Eg breakdown of glucose providing energy for muscle contraction

Energy for human life comes from our food ATP “is the energy currency of the cell”
• We generally use glucose and fats as sources of energy • ATP is a molecule that stores energy in a way that can be released,
• but can use amino acids from proteins enabling cellular activities to occur, such as:
• Carbohydrates and fats are composed of carbon, hydrogen and • Formation of cross bridges by contractile proteins of all types of muscle
oxygen • Transport of certain substances across cell membranes
• When metabolised they produce carbon dioxide plus water, along • Synthesis of complex molecules
with the formation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and release of
heat
• Carbohydrate + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water, ATP and heat
• Fat + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water, ATP and heat
• This is called cellular respiration

1
 22/11/2016

Muscle activity is essential for many aspects

of body functioning
• Movement of the skeleton or its parts for walking, lifting, breathing
and other activities of daily life
• Pumping of blood around the body
• Cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscle all contribute
• Propulsion of the contents of the digestive tract
• Emptying of the urinary bladder, gall bladder
• Conception . . . and eventually the birth of a baby
• . . . Refer to the rest of the course!