4.2.1
Energy
Energy
Energy
All living organisms require energy in one form or another, usually ATP, to carry out cellular processes.


Energy in ecosystems
Energy in ecosystems
- All living things require energy in one form or another.
- Energy is required by most complex metabolic pathways (often in the form of adenosine triphosphate, ATP).
- In particular, those pathways responsible for building large molecules from smaller compounds require a lot of energy.
- Living organisms would not be able to assemble macromolecules (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and complex carbohydrates) from their monomeric subunits without a constant energy input.


Energy & ecosystems
Energy & ecosystems
- It is important to understand how organisms acquire energy and how that energy is passed from one organism to another.
- Energy takes a one-way path through ecosystems because energy conversions result in a loss of usable (free) energy through the release of heat. In


Metabolism
Metabolism
- Cellular processes such as the building and breaking down of complex molecules occur through stepwise chemical reactions.
- Some of these chemical reactions are spontaneous and release energy, whereas others require energy to proceed.
- Just as living things must continually consume food to replenish what has been used, cells must continually produce more energy to replenish that used.
- All of the chemical reactions that take place inside cells are the cell’s metabolism.


Metabolic rate & size
Metabolic rate & size
- The relationship between metabolic rate and body mass is typically an inverse one.
- The smaller the animal, the higher its metabolism, with mice having a higher metabolic rate than, for example, elephants.
- Because mice have a greater surface area-to-volume ratio for their mass than larger animals, they lose heat at a faster rate.
- So, mice require more energy to maintain constant body temperature.


Metabolic rate comparison
Metabolic rate comparison
- Smaller endothermic animal having a higher basal metabolic rate (BMR), per body weight, than a larger endothermic animal.


Life & death
Life & death
- For organisms to survive, they need to meet the energy needs of their basal metabolic rate.
- Any extra energy may be used for growth or stored (e.g as fat).
- If an organism has a consistent net loss of energy, it will not be able to grow and will eventually die.
1Cell Biology
1.1Introduction to Cells
1.2Ultrastructure of Cells
1.3Membrane Structure
1.4Membrane Transport
1.5The Origin of Cells
2Molecular Biology
2.1Water
2.2Carbohydrates & Lipids
2.3Proteins
2.4Enzymes
2.5Structure of DNA & RNA
2.6DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation
2.7Cell Respiration
2.8Photosynthesis
3Genetics
3.1Genes
3.2Chromosomes
3.3Meiosis
3.4Inheritance
3.5Genetic Modification & Biotechnology
4Ecology
4.1Species, Communities & Ecosytems
4.3Carbon Cycle
5Evolution & Biodiversity
5.1Evidence for Evolution
5.2Natural Selection
5.3Classification of Biodiversity
6Human Physiology
6.1Digestion & Absorption
6.2The Blood System
6.3Defence Against Infectious Disease
6.5Neurons & Synapses
7AHL: Nucleic Acids
7.1DNA Structure & Replication
7.2Transcription & Gene Expression
8AHL: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis
8.1Metabolism
8.2Cell Respiration
9AHL: Plant Biology
9.1Transport in the Xylem of Plants
9.2Transport in the Phloem of Plants
9.3Growth in Plants
10AHL: Genetics & Evolution
10.1Meiosis
10.2Inheritance
10.2.1Linked Genes
10.2.2Sex-Linked Genes
10.2.3Non-Nuclear Inheritance
10.2.4Chi-Squared Test
10.2.5End of Topic Quiz - Inheritance
10.2.6IB Multiple Choice - Non-Mendelian Genetics
10.2.7Introduction to Non-Mendelian Inheritance
10.2.8Extended Response - Inheritance
10.2.9Grade 4-5 (Scientific Practices) - Inheritance
11AHL: Animal Physiology
11.1Antibody Production & Vaccination
11.3The Kidney & Osmoregulation
Jump to other topics
1Cell Biology
1.1Introduction to Cells
1.2Ultrastructure of Cells
1.3Membrane Structure
1.4Membrane Transport
1.5The Origin of Cells
2Molecular Biology
2.1Water
2.2Carbohydrates & Lipids
2.3Proteins
2.4Enzymes
2.5Structure of DNA & RNA
2.6DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation
2.7Cell Respiration
2.8Photosynthesis
3Genetics
3.1Genes
3.2Chromosomes
3.3Meiosis
3.4Inheritance
3.5Genetic Modification & Biotechnology
4Ecology
4.1Species, Communities & Ecosytems
4.3Carbon Cycle
5Evolution & Biodiversity
5.1Evidence for Evolution
5.2Natural Selection
5.3Classification of Biodiversity
6Human Physiology
6.1Digestion & Absorption
6.2The Blood System
6.3Defence Against Infectious Disease
6.5Neurons & Synapses
7AHL: Nucleic Acids
7.1DNA Structure & Replication
7.2Transcription & Gene Expression
8AHL: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis
8.1Metabolism
8.2Cell Respiration
9AHL: Plant Biology
9.1Transport in the Xylem of Plants
9.2Transport in the Phloem of Plants
9.3Growth in Plants
10AHL: Genetics & Evolution
10.1Meiosis
10.2Inheritance
10.2.1Linked Genes
10.2.2Sex-Linked Genes
10.2.3Non-Nuclear Inheritance
10.2.4Chi-Squared Test
10.2.5End of Topic Quiz - Inheritance
10.2.6IB Multiple Choice - Non-Mendelian Genetics
10.2.7Introduction to Non-Mendelian Inheritance
10.2.8Extended Response - Inheritance
10.2.9Grade 4-5 (Scientific Practices) - Inheritance
11AHL: Animal Physiology
11.1Antibody Production & Vaccination
11.3The Kidney & Osmoregulation
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