Energy Transformation in Living Beings

Introduction

Energy is the ability to perform the necessary task. Plants and living organisms require energy for their reproduction and survival. The sun is the most crucial energy source, but all living beings cannot utilize solar energy directly. The conversion of energy is significant for proper utilization to support life’s activities. 

Plants use the process of photosynthesis to convert energy from the sun, while other living organisms use sugar to derive energy and perform various activities. Bioenergetics is the branch of biochemistry that deals with the energy utilization by cells in plants and living organisms. It also concerns the transformation of energy.

Meaning of Energy Transformation 

Energy conversion or energy transformation involves converting energy from one form into another for performing work such as pulling, lifting, or pushing an object. The law of conservation of energy states that one cannot create or destroy energy, which can only change from one form into another.

All living organisms can convert and use energy from multiple sources to perform various activities. All chemical processes in plants and living organisms involve releasing lower energy levels. Plants use the energy from the sun, while living organisms use food in different forms to derive sugar and convert it into energy.   

Sugar is the first energy conversion involving solar energy transformation into chemical energy. The conversion leverages the process of photosynthesis. The production of oxygen is simultaneous with the process of photosynthesis. Oxygen is helpful for respiration.

Oxygen is valuable for producing Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of living creatures. ATP plays the role of the link between catabolism and anabolism. In the energy transformation meaning, photosynthesis delivers an energy input. It helps plants synthesize organic compounds by capturing solar energy.

Examples of Energy Transformation in Daily Life

Photosynthesis is a classic example to understand energy transformation’s meaning. Plants take up solar energy and use it to produce ATPs which are further used  for their growth and reproduction. Storage of excess energy is in the form of complex sugars. Animals and other living organisms use sugar molecules to derive energy for survival and reproduction by cellular respiration.Our body transforms chemical energy from food. We need this usable energy form to carry out functions for survival and reproduction.

Note: Wind turbines convert wind energy into electricity as the rotating turbine drives the electric generator. We use fuel to drive vehicles. The fuel stores chemical energy. The automobile converts this chemical energy into thermal energy, which converts it into mechanical energy to set the vehicle in motion. 

Different systems of Transformation of Energy Living Organism

All types of biological processes and actions require energy. The storage of chemical energy helps living things perform multiple functions. A calorie is a unit to quantify energy.

The presence of a system is necessary for the transformation of energy. The surroundings and the system form a universe.

Following are three fundamental systems for energy transformation:

• Closed system- there is no exchange of energy and matter with the surroundings. An example is the chlorophyll system
• Open system- As the name suggests, there is an exchange of energy and matter. An example of an open system is living organisms
• Isolated system- there is an exchange of energy. The exchange of matter does not take place

The following focus points are   worth remembering for energy transformations-

• Living cells- These are chemical engines functioning at a steady temperature by maintaining equilibrium between input and output of the matter
• Organisms- unlike living cells, organisms are not at equilibrium with their surroundings as there is an energy transfer from their surroundings 

Role of Electrons in Energy Generation

Living beings need to take in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats and break them down into a proper form for the cells to use.The solar light absorbed by the plants triggers the release of electrons from chlorophyll molecules   during photosynthesis. These ATPs are used to make carbohydrates by the plants. In animals as well as other living organisms ATPs are generated    during cellular respiration by the oxidation of food. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) forms within the cell to act as a temporary energy storage unit. 

The breaking down of nutrients during the cellular respiration process releases oxidized electrons. Aerobic respiration is the use of oxygen to promote the oxidation of nutrients. Anaerobic respiration involves using inorganic molecules like phosphates, carbon dioxide, nitrates, and many more metal ions.

Biological processes utilize the energy that releases in the process of cellular respiration. These processes produce large molecules like proteins, DNA, and amino acids. The molecules are vital for the survival of the organism. 

ATP has great significance while studying the process of  energy transformation. ATPs help store the surplus free energy to avoid heat formation and possible cell destruction. ATP allows the cell to store energy for future use. Hydrolysis is the process of releasing energy from ATP. It leads to the formation of Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP). Constant breakdown of ATP into ADP helps carry out life processes. The energy from ATP is helpful for muscular contraction and many more activities.

Energy transfer from plants (autotrophs) to other animals(heterotrophs) 

Food is essential for all processes of life in plants and living organisms. Plants require sunlight to prepare food. Autotrophs convert sunlight into food by using the process of photosynthesis. The three groups of autotrophs are algae, plants, and a few bacteria.

 These groups convert energy into usable form and support life on the planet. On the contrary, heterotrophs are not capable of making their food. They must depend on autotrophs to fulfill their energy requirement. Transfer of energy and matter from autotrophs to heterotrophs occurs in the food chain.

In photosynthesis, plants make sugar and oxygen from water and carbon dioxide in the environment by using the energy from the sun. Living organisms require sugar as an energy source. The sugar synthesis releases energy. The energy release needs reactants like sugar and 

oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Energy storage is an important aspect to appreciate energy transformation. Energy storage occurs at every stage of the food cycle. We need the energy to perform every activity of life. The energy storage and release in living beings need the help of several chemical processes. These are constantly taking place in all biological systems.

Conclusion

The sun is an abundant source of energy that cannot be used directly by all life forms. Plants transform the sunlight into energy and store it as sugar molecules with photosynthesis. The living organisms take up sugar from plants and convert it into energy by using the process of cell respiration. The correlation between these two processes is crucial to understanding energy transformation.

The first energy transformation is converting solar energy into chemical energy by plants to form a sugar molecule. Energy transfer involves the conversion of energy into another form. Chemical energy into mechanical energy or thermal energy or electrical energy into thermal energy are some energy transformation examples.