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Energy requirements assignment
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Author: Madina SherzadUnit title: Energy for Healthcare
Task title: Energy Requirements
Date of issue: 09/01/2020
Tutor: John Adkins
Energy Requirements
The human body is reliant on energy to begin the various biochemical processes which
are essential for all of its functions. Energy requirements are the amount of food energy
needed to balance the energy we waste in order to maintain the body’s sizes,
consumptions and necessary and needed physical activity consistent with long-term
good health. This energy is included in the growth and development of children,
pregnancy etc. This paper will discuss the various biochemical processes related to this
topic. (Lumen, 2019)
Wilkin and Brainard (2019) mentions some examples of those processes which includes
biosynthesis, anabolic reactions, active transport, generating electrical potentials,
contraction of muscles and some other. All of those processes are usually categorized
into something known as Metabolism. Metabolism is the term used to describe the
chemical reactions associated with the maintenance of the living state of cells and
organisms. Metabolism can be separated into two categories known as Catabolism which
is the breakdown of molecules to release energy. Anabolism is referred to as the
synthesis of every needed compound by the cells. (Wilkin & Brainard, 2019)
Active transport is the term used to describe the processes of moving substances through
the cell membrane which requires the use of energy. The common source of energy in
this process is ATP. During Active transport, the molecules move from an area of low
concentration to an area of high concentration. This happens against a concentration
gradient. (Harwood 2012; Wilkin, 2012)
An example of an active transport process is the Sodium-Potassium pump. This pump is
located inside the cell membrane (Lumen, 2019). The active transport pump transports
sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell and potassium ions (K+) into the cell. The pump is
powered by ATP. The Sodium-Potassium pump also involves an enzyme identified as
Adenosine-triphosphatase (ATPase). The function of this enzyme is to use metabolic
energy in order to transport the Na+ to the outside of the cell and K+ to the inside.
Considering these substances are moving against a concentration gradient, the energy
that is obtained from the ATP hydrolysis reaction is quite important to power this
particular process. The mechanism of the sodium-potassium pump allows the cell
membrane to become polarised. This happens because of the movement of the Na + and
K+ ions. The pump is an essential contributor to the action potential which is produced
by nerve cells. The action potential transmits information within the neurons and
triggers contractions within muscle cells and also lead to exocytosis. Exocytosis is the
process in which a cell transports secretory products through the cytoplasm and to the
, plasma membrane. Neurons conduct electrical impulses by using the action potential,
which is generated by the movement of positively charged ions across the neuronal
membrane. (Harwood 2012; Wilkin, 2012)
Muscle contraction is a process that requires energy which is provided by ATP. Every
muscle cell has a little ATP stored within them which they can use but only enough to
power for roughly 3 seconds. The ATP that is in the muscles must be continually
replenished as it is used for various processes. Below is a description of a simple
equation on how the release of energy from ATP is used to power muscle contractions.
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP) + Inorganic
Phosphate (Pi) + Energy
This equation shows the process of which ATP is hydrolysed to ADP and therefore
showing that there is a continuous amount of ATP needed. (IvyRose, 2019)
ATP is provided within the muscles in three different ways, Creatine Phosphate
(anaerobic respiration), through Glycolysis and third process is by Cellular respiration
(aerobic respiration).
The Creatine Phosphate (CP) is used to regenerate ATP after it is broken down to release
its energy. The total amount of Creatine Phosphate and ATP that is stored in the muscles
is quite small and therefore limiting the energy available for muscle contraction.
However, it is important to mention that the energy is immediately available and
necessary at the start of an activity and during short-term high-intensity activities which
last in an approximate of 1 to 30 seconds span. An example of such activities is weight-
lifting and sprinting. (IvyRose, 2019)
Muscles have a large storage of the carbohydrate known as Glycogen. Glycogen is used to
produce ATP from the sugar molecule glucose. However, this process includes 12
different chemical reactions and therefore supplies energy at a slower pace as compared
to Creatine Phosphate. It is still quite rapid though and will produce enough energy to
last for roughly 90 seconds. This process does not require energy and therefore an
advantage for the heart and lungs as they are given more time to provide an increased
amount of oxygen to the muscles. (Darras et al, 2019)
The production of ATP through Anaerobic glycolysis to provide energy for muscle
contraction has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that as
previously mentioned that it produces ATP with the absence of Oxygen and that it occurs
rapidly. The disadvantages are that it only produces 2 ATP molecules per glucose
molecule and it also produces lactic acid (which is toxic) at the same rate as it produces
ATP.
The aerobic respiration is a process in which Oxygen is present. The body will be within
two minutes of exercise, supply the working muscles with Oxygen. The Oxygen will here
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