Energy storage, Biology

Assignment Help:

Energy Storage

As we said above, food intake and energy expenditure for animals is approximately equal. If energy expenditure exceeds food intake, then the excess energy is taken up by utilisation of body fat. However, if food intake is excess, then the surplus is stored as fat irrespective of the kind of food eaten. Excess carbohydrates are changed to fats and accordingly RQ exceeds 1. This is because fats contain relatively less oxygen and the excess oxygen of carbohydrates is used in the metabolism. This reduces the oxygen uptake and the respiratory carbon dioxide, oxygen ratio is increased. For this reason fat is ideal storage material for energy. It is much lighter and yields twice as much energy as carbohydrates.

Migratory birds that may have to fly more than 1000 km non-stop, carry fat as 40% to 50% of their body weight. Nonetheless, some carbohydrates are important in energy storage. Glycogen a starch-like carbohydrate polymer is stored as granules in the skeletal muscles and liver of vertebrates. During heavy muscular exercise when blood does not deliver sufficient oxygen to meet demands, glycogen provides the energy. It is broken down directly into glucose-6-phosphate, providing fuel for carbohydrate metabolism more directly than does fat, On the other hand, many animals that do not move about, also store glycogen as excess energy source. For example, clams, oysters and many intestinal parasites like Ascaris use glycogen as the storage material. These animals have to face anaerobic conditions and in such situations glycogen breaks down to acetic acid to yield energy.


Related Discussions:- Energy storage

Explain the functions of consciousness, Q. Explain the Functions of Conscio...

Q. Explain the Functions of Consciousness? Consciousness allows individuals to be aware of his/her surrounding, thereby defining the context and removing ambiguities. Simplific

Sex-limited traits, can u show the different activities on the topic

can u show the different activities on the topic

Describe oxidative stress in new cardio-vascular, Describe Oxidative Stress...

Describe Oxidative Stress in New Cardio-vascular Risk Factors ? In the risk conferred by LDL cholesterol, the oxidative modification of LDL plays a central role, because it is

Explain hyperglycaemic, Hyperglycaemic:- In the fasting state, glucose ...

Hyperglycaemic:- In the fasting state, glucose release from the liver increases due to the action of glucagon and in the muscle by epinephrine. Glucagon  also  enhances glucone

Intracellular sodium concentration of the motor neuron, Intracellular sodiu...

Intracellular sodium concentration of the motor neuron A complete motor neuron is removed from a frog and placed in normal physiological saline at 1 AM.  The neuron is healthy.

Define general protection in the laboratory, Define General protection in t...

Define General protection in the Laboratory? You are required to wear a laboratory coat at all times in the laboratory. It is sensible to buy one of good quality and to launder

Define instrument for absorbed radiation - spectrophotometer, Define Instru...

Define Instrument for Absorbed Radiation - Spectrophotometer? In contrast to colorimeter, spectrophotometer is an instrument that is capable of splitting the incident radiation

What do you understand by exoskeleton, What do you understand by Exoskeleto...

What do you understand by Exoskeleton. Supporting structures of skeleton not surrounded by the body. Endoskeletal elements are secreted by an underlying epidermis and one side

What do protozoans eat, Q What do protozoans "eat"? Do they move in search ...

Q What do protozoans "eat"? Do they move in search for food? Protozoans are heterotroph beings that are they do not make their own food and thus they need to search for it in t

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd