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

Transition of the vertebrates, Q Which is the chordate class considered an ...

Q Which is the chordate class considered an evidence of the transition of the vertebrates from the aquatic to the dry land environment? The amphibians are totally aquatic in th

Explain about bequest value of biodiversity, Q. Explain about Bequest value...

Q. Explain about Bequest value of biodiversity? Sometimes people derive satisfaction from the fact that conserved biodiversity may benefit other individuals in the future, givi

Structure of blastula, Structure of Blastula The structure of blastula...

Structure of Blastula The structure of blastula turns into modified in several animal groups. The changes are related to the amount of yolk deposited in the egg, as you will s

Elaborate angiography, Which term is used to describe the process whereby a...

Which term is used to describe the process whereby a catheter is inserted into an individual's heart, a radio-opaque medium is injected & x-ray images are made. Procedure is use

Ways in which genetic recombination occurs during meiosis, Define two ways ...

Define two ways in which genetic recombination occurs during meiosis. Genetic recombination happens during crossing- over and independent assortment.

Echinococcosis (hydatidosis), Echinococcosis (hydatidosis) Echinococco...

Echinococcosis (hydatidosis) Echinococcosis, also called hydatidosis, is a global problem particularly in countries where sheep and cattle raising forms the major animal husba

List down the various mycotoxins associated with food, Q. List down the var...

Q. List down the various mycotoxins associated with food? Mycotoxins associated with foods are: • Aflatoxins (produced by Aspergillus flavus) • Ochratoxin (produced

Explain about mandible, Q. Explain about Mandible? In the mandible, att...

Q. Explain about Mandible? In the mandible, attached keratinized tissue normally atrophies with the underlying bone. As a result there is generally a relatively narrow band of

What are herbicide tolerant crops in ecological, What are Herbicide toleran...

What are Herbicide tolerant crops in ecological Herbicide tolerant crops (HTC)  Ecological  a)  Increased use of the herbicides that plant is  tolerant to (describes ecologi

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