A prerequisite for the existence of any living organism is the constant supply of nutrients and the removal of end products of decay.
What is metabolism in biology
Metabolism, or metabolism, is a special set of chemical reactions that take place in any living organism to maintain its activity and life. These responses allow the body to develop, grow and reproduce while maintaining its structure and responding to environmental stimuli.
Metabolism is usually divided into two stages: catabolism and anabolism. At the first stage, all complex substances are broken down and become simpler. On the second, along with energy costs, nucleic acids, lipids and proteins are synthesized.
The most important role in the metabolic process is played by enzymes, which are active biological catalysts. They are able to reduce the activation energy of a physical reaction and regulate metabolic pathways.
Metabolic chains and components are absolutely identical for many species, which is proof of the unity of the origin of all living beings. This similarity shows relativelyearly appearance of evolution in the history of the development of organisms.
Classification by type of metabolism
What is metabolism in biology is described in detail in this article. All living organisms that exist on planet Earth can be divided into eight groups, guided by the source of carbon, energy and oxidizable substrate.
Living organisms can use the energy of chemical reactions or light as a source of food. Both organic and inorganic substances can be used as an oxidizable substrate. The source of carbon is carbon dioxide or organics.
There are microorganisms that, being in different conditions of existence, use a different type of metabolism. It depends on humidity, lighting and other factors.
Multicellular organisms can be characterized by the fact that the same organism can have cells with different types of metabolic processes.
Catabolism
Biology examines the metabolism and energy through such a concept as "catabolism". This term refers to metabolic processes during which large particles of fats, amino acids and carbohydrates are broken down. During catabolism, simple molecules appear that participate in biosynthetic reactions. It is thanks to these processes that the body is able to mobilize energy, turning it into an accessible form.
In organisms that live by photosynthesis (cyanobacteria andplants), the electron transfer reaction does not release energy, but accumulates, thanks to sunlight.
In animals, catabolism reactions are associated with the breakdown of complex elements into simpler ones. These substances are nitrates and oxygen.
Catabolism in animals is divided into three stages:
- Splitting complex substances into simpler ones.
- Splitting simple molecules into even simpler ones.
- Releasing energy.
Anabolism
Metabolism (grade 8 biology considers this concept) is also characterized by anabolism - a set of metabolic processes of biosynthesis with energy consumption. Complex molecules, which are the energy basis of cellular structures, are sequentially formed from the simplest precursors.
First, amino acids, nucleotides and monosaccharides are synthesized. Then the above elements become active forms due to the energy of ATP. And at the last stage, all active monomers are combined into complex structures, such as proteins, lipids and polysaccharides.
It is worth noting that not all living organisms synthesize active molecules. Biology (metabolism is described in detail in this article) distinguishes organisms such as autotrophs, chemotrophs and heterotrophs. They receive energy from alternative sources.
Energy from sunlight
What is metabolism in biology? The process by which all living things existon Earth, and distinguishes living organisms from inanimate matter.
Sunlight energy feeds on some protozoa, plants and cyanobacteria. In these representatives, metabolism occurs due to photosynthesis - the process of absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.
Digestion
Molecules such as starch, proteins and cellulose are broken down before they are used by cells. Digestion involves special enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids and polysaccharides into monosaccharides.
Animals can only secrete these enzymes from special cells. But microorganisms release such substances into the surrounding space. All substances that are produced by extracellular enzymes enter the body using "active transport".
Control and regulation
What is metabolism in biology, you can read in this article. Each organism is characterized by homeostasis - the constancy of the internal environment of the body. The presence of such a condition is very important for any organism. Since they are all surrounded by an environment that is constantly changing, in order to maintain optimal conditions inside the cells, all metabolic reactions must be correctly and accurately regulated. A good metabolism enables living organisms to constantly contact the environment and respond to its changes.
Historical information
What is metabolism in biology? The definition is at the beginning of the article. The concept of "metabolism" for the first timeused by Theodor Schwann in the forties of the nineteenth century.
Scientists have been studying metabolism for several centuries, and it all started with attempts to study animal organisms. But the term "metabolism" was first used by Ibn al-Nafisa, who believed that the whole body is constantly in a state of nutrition and decay, so it is characterized by constant changes.
The biology lesson "Metabolism" will reveal the whole essence of this concept and describe examples that will help increase the depth of knowledge.
The first controlled experiment on the study of metabolism was made by Santorio Santorio in 1614. He described his condition before and after eating, working, drinking water and sleeping. He was the first to notice that most of the food consumed was lost during the process of "silent evaporation".
In the initial studies, metabolic reactions were not found, and scientists believed that living tissue was controlled by a living force.
In the twentieth century, Eduard Buchner introduced the concept of enzymes. Since then, the study of metabolism began with the study of cells. During this period, biochemistry became a science.
What is metabolism in biology? The definition can be given as follows - this is a special set of biochemical reactions that support the existence of an organism.
Minerals
Inorganic substances play a very important role in metabolism. All organic compounds are made up of large amounts of phosphorus, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen.
Most inorganic compounds allow you to control the level of pressure inside the cells. Also their concentrationpositively affects the functioning of muscle and nerve cells.
Transition metals (iron and zinc) regulate the activity of transport proteins and enzymes. All inorganic trace elements are absorbed through transport proteins and never remain in a free state.
