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CLASS 8 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE

Metabolism and energy balance – basic principles

How it works

Metabolism includes all chemical processes in the body in which substances are taken up, transformed, built up, broken down, and excreted. The energy usable for life processes is usually obtained in cells through cellular respiration from energy-rich substances such as glucose. Plants produce glucose during photosynthesis from water and carbon dioxide with the help of light energy and can then use it in cellular respiration to generate energy. Animals and humans take in energy-rich nutrients with food and obtain energy from them through cellular respiration. Enzymes control metabolic reactions. Energy balance describes how much energy is absorbed, stored, consumed, and released. A balance is important for health and growth.

Note
Metabolism is the totality of the chemical transformations in the organism that provide building materials and make usable energy available; energy balance describes the intake, storage, and consumption of energy in the body.

An example

What function does photosynthesis have in the metabolism of plants?

Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy by enabling plants to produce glucose and oxygen from water and carbon dioxide. The glucose formed can later be used in cellular respiration to generate energy and is an important basis of material and energy balance.

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