Cell Energy

Essential Understandings about Cell Energy:

• Cells are made of primarily 5 types of molecules; water, carbohydrates, lipids (fats), proteins, & nucleic acids (DNA & RNA). Carbohydrates are energy rich molecules; lipids store energy: proteins do the work of cells; & nucleic acids are the instructions to run the cell and make how to make proteins.

• All living things on our planet need energy to live. Plants, algae and certain bacteria can make energy rich molecules by using energy from the sun. This is called photosynthesis. The energy rich molecules that are made during photosynthesis are carbohydrates, such as glucose. Plant cells have a type of organelle inside them, called chloroplasts, where the photosynthesis takes place.

• Living things that can make their own energy rich molecules are called producers. Living things that cannot make their own energy are called consumers. Humans & other animals are consumers, they cannot make their own energy-rich food. They must get their energy from plants, or animals that eat plants.

• When humans and other living things eat the energy rich molecules (ex. glucose; a sugar) they  release that energy through a process called cell respiration. The energy rich molecule made through this process is called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is the universal energy molecule of life. All living things make ATP for their energy; plants, animals, fungus, bacteria, every living thing.

• Organisms that possess the following seven characteristics are animate or living beings and thus possess life: the ability to respire, grow, excrete, reproduce, metabolize, move, and be responsive to the environment.