Metabolism and Energy

Metabolism and energy is a fundamental process that ensures the vital activity of all living organisms. This process consists of a set of chemical transformations of substances that enter the body from the outside and undergo transformations inside cells, resulting in the generation of energy necessary for the functioning of the body.

Metabolism of substances and energy is a dialectical unity of the processes of constant intake of various organic and inorganic compounds into the body, their assimilation, change and release into the external environment in the form of decay products. Friedrich Engels, describing life as a way of existence of protein bodies, emphasized the importance of “constant exchange of substances with the external nature surrounding them.”

The level of metabolism and energy is different for each type of animal and depends on hereditary properties, gender, age, living conditions and other factors. Metabolism is based on enzymatic processes of two types, which are closely related and interdependent.

The first type of process is called assimilation or anabolism. These processes are associated with energy consumption and lead to the absorption by cells of substances entering the body from the external environment, as well as to the synthesis of more complex molecules from simpler ones inside the cell.

The second type of enzymatic processes is called dissimilation or catabolism. They are aimed at the breakdown of substances entering the cell from the outside, as well as at the decomposition of substances that make up the cells of the body, and are accompanied by the release of energy.

The energy released during the breakdown of food and other substances is used for all vital processes, such as muscle contraction, conduction of nerve impulses, maintaining body temperature, synthesis of various substances, absorption and secretion processes, maintaining physiological concentrations of organic ions on both sides of the cell membrane, and others.

Metabolism allows a living organism to convert incoming food substances into compounds that are characteristic of a given organism and use them either as a building material or as an energy source. Thus, metabolism ensures continuous renewal of organs and tissues without changing the chemical composition of the body.

The main groups of substances, such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates, play an unequal role in metabolic processes. Proteins are mainly used by the body as building materials, while carbohydrates and fats serve as the main source of energy.

Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy as they supply more than half of the total energy needed. They can be quickly degraded in cells to obtain energy through the process of glycolysis and further oxidation. Fats also serve as an important source of energy, especially during prolonged periods of fasting or intense physical activity. They are stored as triglycerides in fat cells and can be mobilized to provide energy.

The process of metabolism and energy can be divided into several stages. The first stage, digestion, involves the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into simple molecules that can be absorbed by the body. This is followed by the absorption stage, where nutrients are absorbed into the blood and transported throughout the body. After this, the metabolic stage occurs in cells, where new molecules are synthesized, decomposed, and energy is used. Finally, the final breakdown products are eliminated from the body through the excretory organs.

Intermediate metabolism and energy, also called metabolism, occurs primarily intracellularly. This involves a series of complex biochemical reactions such as glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, which produce energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Metabolism and energy is a key process that supports the functioning of the body. Disturbances in this process can lead to various diseases and disorders such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and others.

As a result, metabolism and energy is a complex and important process for all living organisms. It ensures the supply of necessary substances and the production of energy necessary to maintain the life and functioning of the body. Understanding this process helps us better understand the physiology of organisms and develop strategies to maintain health and overcome various diseases.

Metabolism and energy is the process in which the body receives the necessary nutrients from food and converts them into energy to support its vital functions. This process is the totality of all chemical reactions that occur within the body, which are associated with the intake, digestion, assimilation (transformation) and excretion of substances and their transformation into other available forms.

Main stages of metabolism and energy:

I. Food consumption stage: food enters the digestive tract and is processed. During this process, the body breaks down nutrients into smaller compounds, which are then absorbed through the intestinal wall.

II. Absorption Stage: Nutrients obtained through breakdown are absorbed by the body to be converted into energy.

III. Energy conversion stage: energy is converted into chemical and kinetic energy, which is used to ensure the full functioning of the body and the course of its numerous physiological processes.

IV. Waste elimination stage: During the metabolic process, the body excretes waste in the form of urine, feces, sweat, etc. These wastes must be removed to maintain normal functioning of the body.