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 ancient greeks and romans - plant classification, Explain History o...

Explain History of Plant Classification - Ancient Greeks and Romans? Hippocrates, "The Father of Medicine" (460-377 B.C.) is reputed to have been one of Democritus 's disciples

Surgical management, Surgical Management: Surgical management consists...

Surgical Management: Surgical management consists of  primary repair which involves end to end anastomosis with excision of  the fistula and delayed and staged surgery. When t

Describe the physiology of atrial septal defect, Describe the Physiology of...

Describe the Physiology of atrial septal defect? In ASD the magnitude of left to right shunt is determined by the size of the defect and the relative compliance of the right ve

Enzymes in clinical diagnosis, ENZYMES IN CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS The ration...

ENZYMES IN CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS The rationale for measuring plasma or serum enzyme levels is based on the premise that these  levels reflect changes  that  have  occurred  in  a

Which technique would use to see if a particular protein, Which technique w...

Which technique would you use to A) see if a particular protein bound to a piece of DNA B) Detect exactly where on a piece of DNA a protein bound.

What are the two techniques of submerged implants, Submerged implants Decis...

Submerged implants Decision has to be made between two techniques. These techniques are: Technique 1: Stage two using a mucoperiosteal flap Technique 2: Stage two done wi

General preventive measures for animals, GENERAL PREVENTIVE MEASURES - ...

GENERAL PREVENTIVE MEASURES - 1.      Infected animal should be immediately isolated and looked after. 2.      The premises should be disinfected whenever there is an outbre

Define prognosis of eating disorders, Define Prognosis of Eating Disorders?...

Define Prognosis of Eating Disorders? About 50% of the patients recover fully from anorexia nervosa and achieve normal weight, 30% improve but have a partial recovery and 20% w

Chemicals of life, give two examples of chemical reactions which are cataly...

give two examples of chemical reactions which are catalysed by enzymes in the course of brewing

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