Types of Energy Transformations

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 utilise solar energy directly. The conversion of energy is significant for proper utilisation to support life’s activities. 

Plants use the process of photosynthesis to convert energy from the sun, whereas other living organisms use sugar to derive energy and perform various activities. Bioenergetics is the branch of biochemistry that deals with cell energy utilisation 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.

Examples of energy transformation in daily life

Photosynthesis is a classic example to understand energy transformation’s meaning. Plants take up solar energy and produce Adenosine Triphosphate (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.

Types of Energy Transformations

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, example is the chlorophyll system
• Open system – As the name suggests, there is an exchange of energy and matter, 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

Transformations of one form of energy to another

Electrical energy changes to thermal energy – Light bulb

Chemical energy to light to light – Car engine

Radiant energy to chemical energy  – photosynthesis

Electrical energy to kinetic energy – Electric motor

Mechanical energy to Electrical energy – Electric generator

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 and other living organisms, ATPs are generated    during cellular respiration by the oxidation of food. ATP forms within the cell to act as a temporary energy storage unit. 

The breaking down of nutrients during the cellular respiration process releases oxidised 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.

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 fulfil their energy requirement. Transfer of energy and matter from autotrophs to heterotrophs occurs in the food chain.

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.