Metabolism, Energy and Work
Metabolism, Energy and work
Metabolism
The sum of all anabolic and catabolic process in a cell or organism.
Anabolic process: cells build complex substances from simpler subunits Catabolic process: breakdown of complex substances into simpler subunits Energy
The ability to do work. Humans require energy to do work (i.e. walk, talk, run, digest food, breath)
There are two forms of energy: Kinetic Energy Potential Energy |
Kinetic EnergyKinetic Energy is defined as energy possessed by a moving object.
The above figure shows kinetic energy, as the bicycle is in a state of motion indicate kinetic energy. Some examples of kinetic energy: heart muscle contracting during a heartbeat, chromosomes moving along spindle fibres during mitosis. Kinetic energy also refers to the motion of molecules. Photosynthesis is covered in the Website but in terms of kinetic energy, radiant energy is the kinetic energy of photons, or waves of light, and is critical to biology (Lodish, et al., 2000) |
Potential energyPotential Energy is defined as energy stored by virtue of an object's position within an attractive or repulsive force field.
In simplified terms, its the stored energy in an object based on its distance from it's desired destination. For example. The bike in the above figure wants to be at the bottom of the hill, and will therefore be gaining potential energy as the bike moves further away from the bottom of the hill. |
A fun simulation to engage your students, and help them understand chemical and potential energy: http://d3tt741pwxqwm0.cloudfront.net/WGBH/conv16/conv16-int-rollercoaster/index.html
SUGGESTION: when showing this simulation to students, stop the simulation at each point of change to reiterate the transfer of energy that's occurring.
SUGGESTION: when showing this simulation to students, stop the simulation at each point of change to reiterate the transfer of energy that's occurring.
Potential Energy
There are two forms of Potential Energy:
Gravitational and Chemical
Gravitational Potential Energy: the attraction between two objects.
Chemical Potential Energy: the attraction of electrons to protons in a chemical bond
There are two forms of Potential Energy:
Gravitational and Chemical
Gravitational Potential Energy: the attraction between two objects.
Chemical Potential Energy: the attraction of electrons to protons in a chemical bond
Work
The transfer of energy from one body or place to another
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To see an example of work watch the video. TIP: stop the video at transition points and ask your students to identify the type of energy. |
Summary:
1) Metabolism is the sum of all anabolic and catabolic reactions
2) Energy is the ability to do work
3) There are two types of energy: kinetic and potential
4) There are two types of potential energy: gravitational and chemical
5) Work is the transfer of energy from one body or place to another
For more information check out my .ppt presentation.
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=97F5022CFE5D995F!168&authkey=!AEHK762RHGYN4qg&ithint=file%2cpptx