Question

Brainstorm instances where your knowledge of of energy metabolism will be useful. You can also make analogies. Think about what is needed to make the body work efficiently. What does it take for the body to be in homeostasis? 

Answer 1

All bodily functions, from thinking, sleeping, moving a finger to lifting weights, require energy.The rate at which the body uses food energy to sustain life and to do different activities is called the metabolic rate. Our body needs 6 ingredient categories in varying categories to work efficiently. These are carbohydrates, proteins, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals and Water. Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are the major constituents of foods and serve as fuel molecules for the human body.

Energy is trapped in the chemical bonds of nutrient molecules. The transformation of the chemical energy of fuel molecules into useful energy is strictly regulated, and several factors control the use of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids by the different cells. For instance, not all cells have the enzyme machinery and the proper cellular compartments to use all three fuel molecules. Red blood cells are devoid of mitochondria and hence unable to oxidize fatty acids or amino acids, relying only on glucose for ATP synthesis. In addition, even in cells that can use all nutrients, the type of food substrate that is oxidized changes according to the physiological situation of the cell, such as the fed and fasting states. Different signals dictate how cells can adapt to each situation, such as hormones, which may exert powerful effects by switching key enzyme activities in a matter of seconds, or how they may modulate gene expression profile, changing the whole cell metabolic profile.

Homeostasis refers to the ability of the body to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions. It is an organism’s ability to keep a constant internal environment. Maintaining a constant internal environment by providing the cells with what they need to survive (oxygen, nutrients, and removal of waste) is necessary for the well-being of individual cells and of the entire body.Homeostatic imbalance may lead to a state of disease.In addition to inherited (genetic) influences, there are external influences that are based on lifestyle choices and environmental exposure that influence the body’s ability to maintain homeostatic balance. Regular physical activity, adequate rest are activities which promote in maintaining homeostasis. Our emotions cause chemical changes in our bodies that have various effects on our thoughts and feelings.Regular physical activity has been shown to improve mental and physical well-being, and helps people to cope with distress, therefore stabilising homeostasis.

We must understand all metabolic pathways as integrated events controlling energy regulation and conversion.The removal of negative health influences and providing adequate positive health influences, increases the ability of the body to self-regulate and self-repair, which maintains homeostasis.