According to early he alth research, the concept of "cell nutrition" was considered in a primitive sense. They said that it was simply necessary for survival. Like, a living being needs a minimum amount of nutrients that must be present in the diet to prevent the appearance of outwardly visible malfunctions or obvious diseases. In the modern world, thanks to advanced technologies and the ability to look inside the body, it is possible to trace how nutrients enter the cell, what other processes take place there. Importantly, this new perspective helps to understand why the lack of important nutritional components can lead to low energy levels, early aging or illness.
What is a cell?
Cells are the fundamental units of life that make up all tissues and organs. These tiny components are constantly interacting with each other, reacting to all sorts ofsignals. Nutrition of the cells of the body is vital, because if their functioning is not carried out effectively, this can lead to a decrease in overall physical performance, the appearance of diseases.
One of the many important functions that cells perform in everyday life is to keep DNA from being destroyed. In addition, they provide energy to the entire body. DNA is stored in the nucleus. There are many ways to keep it safe. However, studies have shown that malnutrition of cells low in antioxidants and other phytonutrients, combined with environmental exposure to toxins such as pesticides, can lead to DNA damage. This damage, also called mutation, can affect the ability to produce energy. In addition, it provokes the appearance of tissue inflammation, their premature aging.
The role of nutrition in cell life
The average adult has about 30 trillion cells. And every day, thousands of new units are replicated from old, worn-out or damaged ones. Cell nutrition is the process of providing nutritional raw materials in order to create new and maintain old units. In addition, some nutrients also protect against damage and provide the body with the energy it needs. Despite the fact that the cells of different tissues and organs may differ in shape, size, properties, they contain similar components that perform specific tasks.
Nutrition and cell membrane
Shell,that encapsulates cells is called the cell membrane. It serves as a structural boundary that keeps the inner content from outside interference and ingress of unwanted agents. At the same time, this shell serves as a semi-permeable filter that provides the process of cell vital activity and nutrition. Through it, nutrients can enter, and waste, on the contrary, is excreted from the body. All this contributes to intercellular communication and coordination of all physiological functions of the body.
The membrane is composed primarily of fats, which, being insoluble in water, form a natural barrier that forms boundaries and structures. The main function of lipids is to create shape and structural stability. Proteins are another important component. They provide communication and serve as a means of attachment. For example, bone cells are attached to bone tissue through proteins in cell membranes. Their important function is also signaling the intake of nutrients and the elimination of waste products.
The main function of the cell membrane
Cells are the building blocks of all physical structures. Everything in the body - from the hair on the head to the nails on the fingers, as well as the skin, blood, organs and bones - is made up of cells. Their walls, called the cell membrane, are like fortress fences that let in useful substances and repel what can harm. And although they differ from each other (blood is unlike nerve, bone is different frommuscle and so on), they all have a basic structure and need such a vital process as cell nutrition. It is the main source of energy and vitality.
Cell nutrition and energy production: mitochondria
The cell membrane surrounds the cells like the skin that covers the body. In the same way that the body has tissues and organs to perform certain functions, each cell has its own miniature versions of them. They are called organelles. Some of the most important organelles responsible for producing energy from nutrients are the mitochondria. There are a lot of them in the body.
Each cell contains from a few hundred to over two thousand mitochondria, depending on their energy needs. For example, heart and skeletal muscle cells, which have a very high energy requirement to support constant movement within the body, have 40% of their area occupied by these formations. The average human body contains more than one quadrillion of these components. Unlike the outer membrane of the cell, each mitochondrion has two shells: inner and outer. The former is made up of 75% protein - far more than any other cell border. These proteins are part of the electron transport chain and play a key role in ATP generation.
How is the process of nutrition at the cellular level?
Single-cell formations also have organelles similar to those contained inmore complex organisms. They are needed for the successful completion of many life processes. The central control function is directly related to the cell nucleus, which has DNA and controls the synthesis of proteins in the cell. Mitochondria are responsible for the process of cellular respiration and the conversion of glucose into energy. Ribosomes guarantee the functioning of transport channels in the endoplasmic reticulum. The cell membrane selectively regulates the movement of materials.
Proper nutrition plays an important role in neutralizing harmful substances and maintaining he alth at the cellular level, as it provides cells with nutrients that serve as building blocks and protect important functions. For example, energy production. Features of cell nutrition are associated with the work of each of its components. Dietary proteins are subsequently broken down into amino acids and then resynthesized into new similar substances. Some amino acids are also used to make signaling chemicals such as hormones. Those, in turn, are an integral part of intercellular communications. Providing the body with enough important nutrients can help maintain proper membrane structure.
Optimal Cellular Nutrition
An important process that affects the vital activity of the cell is nutrition. It must take place under optimal conditions. At the same time, cell membranes are the basis for good he alth. Just as building a house is impossible to imagine without mortgaginga strong foundation, so a he althy, normally functioning organ must have a solid foundation. Assimilation refers to the delicate process of getting nutrients into the cell itself through the membrane, which must be he althy, soft and flexible for optimal functioning.
What does a person eat for better cellular nutrition? The vital activity of each formation begins with the use of he althy food from environmentally friendly products. It rarely happens that the usual daily diet includes only the necessary substances and in the amount in which it is really needed. Here, high-quality nutritional supplements can serve well, which can increase the level of cellular nutrition to the optimum level.
Seven life processes
Each cell has several tasks to perform:
- Reproduction. Procreation is one of the most important life processes.
- Movement. The cell must be mobile. She is constantly able to change her form.
- Metabolism is the main biological process for self-preservation, which includes catabolic and anabolic processes.
- Respiration - generating energy for metabolic processes, cell reproduction and their so-called maintenance.
- Food. Eating can be done in a variety of ways depending on whether the organism is unicellular or multicellular.
- Homeostasis is the state of dynamic balance of an organism with its environment using at least one of the 5 senses.
- Isolation - getting rid of waste products.
Feeding methods of various organisms
Nutrition is essential for energy and growth. All living beings on the planet need food. But in their body, the way the cells feed can vary. Plants are able to create their own products through photosynthesis. They use sunlight to turn simple carbon dioxide and water molecules into more complex carbohydrates. Animals, in turn, have to get their livelihood at the expense of other animals or plants. In this case, the reverse process occurs. More complex substances are broken down into small, simple, soluble molecules that can then be used for energy and growth.
The human body consists of trillions of tiny building blocks, each of which in one way or another takes part in vital processes: respiration, energy production, movement, digestion, excretion, reproduction and others. Cells are like miniature organs, each surrounded by a protective sheath. Sometimes it happens that nutrition and cell growth become impossible. This happens due to the failure of the assimilation of substances or the elimination of waste. In this case, the cell becomes toxic and can harm the body, preventing it from functioning properly.
