Module 2

Energy

The capacity to do work.

Work

The transfer of energy by a force acting on an object as it is displaced.

Work Formula

Work = Force x Distance.

Force

The product of mass (kg) and acceleration.

Acceleration

The change in velocity over time.

Velocity

Distance divided by time.

Measurement of Work and Energy

Measured in joules; J = kg x m² / s².

Power

The rate at which work is done.

Metabolism

The processes by which cells and organisms acquire, rearrange, and void commodities to sustain life.

Metabolic Rate

An animal's rate of energy consumption; the conversion of chemical-bond energy to heat and work.

Energy Storage Forms

Reducing energy (NADH and FADH2) and high energy bonds (ATP).

High Energy Bonds

Energy released when covalent bonds are broken, such as in ATP and GTP.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars used for energy and biosynthesis, containing three to seven carbons.

Polysaccharides

Long chains of monosaccharides used for energy storage (like glycogen) and structural functions (like chitin).

Glycogen

The main carbohydrate storage form in animals.

Glycogenesis

The process of glycogen synthesis.

Glycogenolysis

The breakdown of glycogen.

Glycolysis

The anaerobic process taking place in the cytoplasm that produces pyruvate.

Pyruvate

The end product of glycolysis, which is carried into the mitochondria.

Acetyl CoA

Formed from the oxidation of pyruvate, it enters the Krebs cycle.

Beta-Oxidation

The process of breaking down fatty acids in the mitochondria to produce Acetyl CoA.

Ketogenesis

The conversion of fatty acids to Acetyl CoA, which is then converted to ketones.

Electron Transport System (ETS)

The process within the inner mitochondrial membrane that generates a proton gradient and produces ATP.

ATP Synthesis

The reaction ADP + P → ATP utilizing the proton motive force.

Hess’ Law

The total energy released during breakdown of a given amount of fuel is consistent regardless of the steps taken.

Direct Calorimetry

Measurement of heat during chemical or physiological processes.

Indirect Calorimetry

Inferring metabolic heat production from gas exchange measurements.

Respirometry Quotient (RQ)

The ratio of CO2 production to O2 consumption, varying based on fuel type.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The metabolic rate of a homeothermic animal at rest.

Maximum Aerobic Metabolic Rate (VO2 max)

Maximum sustainable VO2 during intense exercise or cold exposure.

Allometric Scaling

Describes how metabolic rate scales with body size.

Scaling Exponent (b)

Indicates how a trait changes with body size, commonly about 0.67 for mammals.