Cell Respiration
We have the ability to break down organic compounds and, as a result, transfer the energy from the bonds of those compounds into the manufacture of tiny, high energy compounds (e.g., ATP) that can be used for a wide variety of reactions in a cell. In this post, you will demonstrate an understanding of how energy is released from organic compounds.
Task
Discuss the various way in which diet and physical fitness are influenced by the processes of cell respiration.
Cell respiration is an important process that occurs in all organisms which involves the breakdown of organic compounds to release energy in the form of ATP (the universal energy currency of cells) (Iber et al. 2015). This released energy can then be used for a wide variety of cellular reactions such as muscle contraction, active transport, and DNA replication just to name a few. This process is therefore integral when it comes to diet and physical fitness since they both rely on having adequate amounts of ATP available at any given time.
When considering diet, having sufficient ATP allows cells to properly digest food and absorb nutrients from it. Without this mechanism working optimally, the body may not be able to efficiently utilize these nutrients leading to deficiencies or excesses over time depending on what type of dietary habits one keeps (Mazur 2017).
Physical fitness also requires adequate levels of ATP as well since it provides the necessary fuel for activities such as running or weightlifting. As exercise intensity increases so too does its demand for extra energy, meaning that if one’s cells are unable to rapidly produce enough ATP then their performance will suffer accordingly (Gatermann et al 2018).
