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 about biodiversity, How do biodiversity, the total number of living...

How do biodiversity, the total number of living beings and the biomass respectively vary during the ecological succession? Biodiversity, the number of living beings and the bio

Atrial fibrillation or flutter, Q. Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter? Tran...

Q. Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter? Transient atrial fibrillation or flutter is seen frequently and can be associated with CAD, rheumatic heart disease, thyrotoxicosis, or myoc

Define the different forms of protein energy malnutrition, Define the Diffe...

Define the Different Forms of Protein Energy Malnutrition? The term PEM is used to describe a wide range of clinical conditions ranging 'from the very clinically detectable flo

How bone implant interface can be evaluated, How bone implant interface can...

How bone implant interface can be evaluated 1) Evaluation of the bone - implant interface can be done by following: i) Implant mobility and discomfort a)  Clinical implan

Microscope, How to calculate the magnifying power of a microscope i

How to calculate the magnifying power of a microscope i

Specialized structures that help the adhesion between cells, Q. What are th...

Q. What are the specialized structures that help the adhesion between cells? The structures responsible for the union of the epithelial cells are called cell junctions. The mai

Explain about the physiological accommodation, Explain about the Physiologi...

Explain about the Physiological Accommodation Physiological Accommodation contractile power of the ciliary muscle required to change the focussing power of the eye by ID. Meas

Explain the properties locust bean gum, Explain the Properties Locust bean ...

Explain the Properties Locust bean gum Locust bean gum is slightly soluble in room temperature water and must be heated to 75 to 85 o C for complete hydration and viscosity dev

Explain anticonvulsants and cerebral palsy, Anticonvulsants and Cerebral Pa...

Anticonvulsants and Cerebral Palsy Anticonvulsants : drugs that prevent reduce or stop convulsions or seizures. Cerebral Palsy: A group of chronic foundations affecting

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