Life is an amazing natural process, which is taking place in highly organized dynamic structure. Life is also defined as the condition that is possessed only by living organisms, as the period from birth to death and energy is the capacity to do work. The intricately designed interplay of life and energy is the insight, why are we alive? And the fundamental process that sustain existence is also involved. Immersed in renaissance, profound challenges are faced by researchers and educators in disentangling complexity of existence. Not only existential questions are addressed by this exploration but understanding of biological systems and educational paradigms is also enhanced. The fundamental concepts of surrounding life and energy, will be explained in this article. The role of ATP is also focused, as the energy of life. Research and method of teaching will be also empowered by this insight.
The Crux of Life
Growth, reproduction, and ability to response the stimuli from environment, due to the series of complex biochemical processes, are the characteristics of life. Energy is the essence of these processes, by which cellular functions are maintained. Energy is essential for performing all vital activities e.g., movement, metabolism, and homeostasis in every living organism (from the simplest bacteria to the most complex mammals).
Bioenergetics: The Obligation Of ATP
Intercellular energy transfer is done through ATP (known as molecular unit of currency). Adenine, ribose, and three phosphates are combined to form a nucleotide, called ATP. Energy is stored in the bonds of ATP. The process of hydrolysis coverts ATP into ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and inorganic phosphate and energy is released. This released amount of energy is exploited by the cells and execute various functions, like muscle flexion, radiation of nerve impulse, and biosynthesis. Cellular respiration and photosynthesis, are the two metabolic pathways to produce ATP. The series enzymatic reactions produce ATP by breaking down the glucose obtained from food. Meanwhile, sunlight is converted into chemical energy by photosynthesis. This chemical energy is stored in molecules of glucose, and ATP manufactured by this glucose.
The Emergence of Life and Energy Transformation
The emergency of life stemmed to simple organic molecules; primordial environment formed this. Finally, these molecules made first primitive cells as much efficient to harness energy from their surroundings. The development of photosynthesis was the first evolutionary advancement photovoltaic energy into biochemical energy. Photosynthesis not only provide fuel for growth but also give out oxygen as by-product, which paved the way for oxygen-based metabolism or aerobic life forms. More complex and more efficient systems developed in organisms to utilize ATP. An increase in Darwinian fitness is the ability to digest another organism. A diverse ecological interactions and complex food webs are led by this sufficient evolutionary advancement. Modern ecosystems are characterized by this advancement.
The Dynamics Between Life and Energy
The interplay between life and energy is flexible and complicated. Organisms are continuously involved in stability between energy consumption and outlay. To sustain metabolic processes in organisms, a sufficient amount is required which is acquired by eating food. Energy availability in organisms may affected by environmental variations. For instance, Organism’s conserve energy by reducing metabolic rate in lean times. Because many organisms’ organism penetrates into dormant state during period of scarcity. When this bust time ends, then metabolic activities are increased rapidly in these organisms to grow and reproduce.
Termination: The Objective Behind Existence
We are led back to the fundamental process of defining life itself, by the interrogation, “ Why are we alive?”. A sophisticated mechanisms developed our cells to attain energy from different sources for our existence. Energy is acquired by consumption of food or capturing of solar energy. This energy provides us immunity to beat the diverse environment.
Continuous flow energy transformations are life, in essence. For the complex into within ecosystems, ATP act as primary energy currency at molecular level. The delicate balance between life and energy is the core factor for our existence. The insight of this relationship not only unravelling our biological anatomy but the border Web of life on earth’s connection with us, is also emphasized. The intricate dance of life that sustain us, is appreciated by further exploration of these concepts. By diving deeper into these concepts, our role within this vast universe is also recognised.
By
Zeenat Mushtaque, Master of philosophy in Solid State Physics
Dr. Abid Hussain Nawaz, Ph.D. & Post Doc
