What is energy and how do living cells obtain and use it?

Living organisms require energy to perform all tasks, from heavy labor to even thinking and sleeping. Cells constantly use energy to import, metabolize, synthesize, and transport molecules. Energy is transferred and transformed through stepwise chemical reactions that make up the cell's metabolism. Biological organisms are open systems that exchange energy with their surroundings, and energy is subject to physical laws, specifically the laws of thermodynamics. The first law states that the total amount of energy in the universe is constant and conserved, while the second law explains why energy transfers and transformations are never completely efficient. The challenge for living organisms is to obtain energy from their surroundings and transform it into usable energy to do work. The more energy that is lost to surroundings, the less ordered and more random the system becomes, and entropy increases as molecules diffuse and spread out.

• Living organisms require energy for all tasks, including thinking and sleeping.
• Bioenergetics describes energy flow in living systems.
• Cells use chemical reactions to build and break down molecules and transport them.
• Cells must constantly produce energy to replenish that used by chemical reactions.
• Thermodynamics is the study of energy transfer involving physical matter.
• Energy is the ability to do work or create change, and exists in many forms.
• The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed.
• The second law of thermodynamics explains that all energy transfers and transformations are inefficient and result in some energy being lost as heat energy, increasing entropy (disorder) within a system.
• Living cells are open systems that exchange energy with their surroundings, and must obtain energy from their surroundings in forms that they can transform into usable energy to do work.
• Chemical energy stored within organic molecules is transferred and transformed into energy within molecules of ATP, which is easily accessible for cells to do work.
• Examples of work that cells do include building complex molecules, transporting materials, powering motion, and contracting muscles.

What is energy, and how is it used by living organisms?

 What is energy, and how is it used by living organisms?

Energy is the ability to do work or create some kind of change and exists in different forms, such as electrical, light, and heat energy. Living organisms require energy to perform a wide range of tasks, including heavy labor, exercise, thinking, and even during sleep. Energy is required for the synthesis and breakdown of molecules, the transport of molecules into and out of cells, the movement of the cell, ingesting and breaking down pathogenic bacteria and viruses, and exporting wastes and toxins.

Living cells obtain energy through bioenergetics, which is the concept of energy flow through living systems, such as cells. The cell's metabolism includes all of the chemical reactions that take place inside cells, including those that consume or generate energy. The cell's metabolism occurs through stepwise chemical reactions, some of which are spontaneous and release energy, whereas others require energy to proceed.

Living organisms are open systems, and energy is exchanged between them and their surroundings. Energy is subject to physical laws, such as the laws of thermodynamics that govern the transfer of energy in and among all systems in the universe. The first law of thermodynamics states that the total amount of energy in the universe is constant and conserved. The second law of thermodynamics explains that all energy transfers and transformations are never completely efficient and that some amount of energy is lost in a form that is unusable, such as heat energy. High entropy means high disorder and low energy.

Living cells have evolved to meet the challenge of obtaining, transforming, and using energy to do work. Chemical energy stored within organic molecules, such as sugars and fats, is transferred and transformed through a series of cellular chemical reactions into energy within molecules of ATP, which is easily accessible to do work. Examples of the types of work that cells need to do include building complex molecules, transporting materials, powering the motion of cilia or flagella, and contracting muscle fibers to create movement.

Biological Macromolecules

 Biological macromolecules are large organic molecules that are essential for life and make up the majority of a cell's mass. There are four major classes of biological macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Carbon is the foundation element for many molecules in living things because it can form four covalent bonds with other atoms or molecules. Lipids are hydrophobic and perform various functions in a cell, such as energy storage and providing insulation. Proteins are polymers of amino acids and have diverse functions, including acting as enzymes and hormones. Nucleic acids carry the genetic blueprint of a cell and are made up of nucleotides, which combine to form DNA and RNA. DNA has a double-helical structure and is composed of two strands of nucleotides bonded to each other with hydrogen bonds.

I. Biological Macromolecules

• Large molecules necessary for life that are built from smaller organic molecules
• Four major classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
• Organic molecules contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and other elements

II. Carbon

• Foundation element for molecules in living things
• Contains four electrons in outer shell, can form four covalent bonds with other atoms or molecules
• Carbon bonding responsible for its important role

III. Lipids

• Diverse group of compounds with a common feature
• Hydrophobic and insoluble in water because they are nonpolar molecules
• Perform many different functions in a cell, including energy storage and providing insulation
• Building blocks of many hormones and important constituent of plasma membrane

IV. Proteins

• Most abundant organic molecule in living systems
• Diverse range of functions due to 20 different chemically distinct amino acids that form long chains
• Can function as enzymes or hormones
• Enzymes are catalysts in biochemical reactions, usually made of proteins

V. Nucleic Acids

• Key macromolecules in the continuity of life
• Carry genetic blueprint of a cell and carry instructions for its functioning
• Two main types: DNA and RNA
• DNA is the genetic material found in all living organisms
• RNA mostly involved in protein synthesis and its regulation
• DNA and RNA made up of monomers known as nucleotides

VI. DNA Structure

• Double-helical structure composed of two strands of nucleotides
• Alternating sugar and phosphate groups form backbone of DNA
• Nitrogenous bases stack in the interior, paired with hydrogen bonds
• Bases pair in such a way that the distance between the backbones of the two strands is the same all along the molecule

Buffers, pH, Acids, and Bases

The pH of a solution is a measure of its acidity or alkalinity, and the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. Small changes in pH represent large changes in the concentrations of hydrogen ions. Buffers are essential for maintaining the pH balance in the body, which is critical for many biological processes. The body has a number of different buffer systems that work together to maintain the pH within a narrow range. These buffer systems include the bicarbonate buffer system, the phosphate buffer system, and the protein buffer system. These systems help to remove excess H+ and OH- ions from the body, which can cause serious health problems if left unregulated. Overall, buffers are key to ensuring the proper pH balance in the body, which is essential for survival.

Buffers are essential for maintaining the pH balance in the body, which is critical for many biological processes. The body has a number of different buffer systems that work together to maintain the pH within a narrow range. These buffer systems include the bicarbonate buffer system, the phosphate buffer system, and the protein buffer system.

The bicarbonate buffer system is the most important buffer system in the body. It helps to regulate the pH of the blood and other bodily fluids. This buffer system involves the reversible reaction between carbonic acid (H2CO3) and bicarbonate (HCO3–) anion. The reaction can go in either direction, depending on whether the pH is too high or too low. If the pH is too low (too acidic), then the bicarbonate ion will combine with excess H+ ions to form carbonic acid. This reaction helps to remove the excess H+ ions and increase the pH. If the pH is too high (too basic), then the carbonic acid will break down into bicarbonate ions and H+ ions. This reaction helps to remove excess OH- ions and decrease the pH.

The phosphate buffer system is also important in regulating the pH of the body. It involves the reversible reaction between dihydrogen phosphate ion (H2PO4–) and hydrogen phosphate ion (HPO42–). This reaction can help to remove excess H+ ions from the body when the pH is too low.

Finally, the protein buffer system involves the reversible reaction between the amino acids in proteins and H+ ions. This reaction can help to remove excess H+ ions from the body when the pH is too low.

Overall, the body has a number of different buffer systems that work together to maintain the pH balance. These buffer systems are critical for life, as without them, the pH in the body would fluctuate too much and lead to serious health problems.

Water - Crucial for Maintaining Life

Water - Crucial for Maintaining Life

I. Introduction

• Explanation of why scientists search for water on other planets: Water is essential for life, and even trace amounts of it on another planet can indicate that life could or did exist there.
• Importance of water for life: Water is one of the more abundant molecules in living cells and is the one most critical to life as we know it.
• Percentage of water in the human body: Approximately 60-70% of the human body is made up of water, making it a vital component for human health.

II. Water's Polarity

• Formation of polar covalent bonds between hydrogen and oxygen atoms: The hydrogen and oxygen atoms in water molecules form polar covalent bonds. The shared electrons spend more time associated with the oxygen atom than they do with the hydrogen atoms.
• Slight positive charge on each hydrogen atom and a slight negative charge on the oxygen atom: As a result of these polar covalent bonds, water molecules have a slight positive charge on each hydrogen atom and a slight negative charge on the oxygen atom.
• Repulsion of slightly positive hydrogen atoms results in a unique shape: The repulsion between the slightly positive hydrogen atoms in water molecules results in a unique shape.
• Attraction between water molecules due to positive and negative charges: The positive and negative charges in different parts of water molecules attract other water molecules to form hydrogen bonds.
• Ability of water to dissolve hydrophilic (water-loving) polar molecules: Water also attracts other polar molecules, such as sugars, that can dissolve in water and are referred to as hydrophilic.

III. Water's Ability to Stabilize Temperature

• Hydrogen bonds allow water to absorb and release heat energy slowly: The hydrogen bonds between water molecules allow water to absorb and release heat energy more slowly than many other substances.
• Temperature is a measure of the motion (kinetic energy) of molecules: Temperature is a measure of the motion of molecules, with higher energy meaning higher temperature.
• Water moderates temperature changes within organisms and in their environments: Water can absorb a great deal of energy before its temperature rises, which means it moderates temperature changes within organisms and in their environments.

IV. Water's Solvency

• Water's polarity allows it to dissolve ionic compounds and polar molecules: Because of water's polarity, ionic compounds and polar molecules can readily dissolve in it.
• Water is a solvent capable of dissolving another substance: Water is, therefore, what is referred to as a solvent - a substance capable of dissolving another substance.
• Hydrogen bonds form between charged particles and surrounding water molecules: The charged particles will form hydrogen bonds with a surrounding layer of water molecules, allowing them to dissolve.

V. Water's Cohesive and Adhesive Properties

• Cohesion arises due to attraction between water molecules, keeping them together at the liquid-air (gas) interface: In cohesion, water molecules are attracted to each other due to hydrogen bonding, keeping the molecules together at the liquid-air interface.
• Surface tension is the capacity of a substance to withstand rupture under tension or stress: Cohesion gives rise to surface tension, the capacity of a substance to withstand rupture when placed under tension or stress.
• Adhesion is the attraction between water molecules and other molecules: Adhesion is the attraction between water molecules and other molecules, which is observed when water "climbs" up a straw placed in a glass of water.
• Cohesive and adhesive forces are essential for sustaining life: These cohesive and adhesive forces are important for sustaining life, such as the ability of water to flow up from the roots to the tops of plants to feed the plant.

Octet Rule, Ionic Bonds, Covalent Bonds, and Polar Covalent Bonds and Hydrogen Bonds

 I. Introduction

• Chemical bonds are formed between atoms to fill their outermost shells and achieve greater stability. Ionic bonds occur when an atom donates an electron to another atom, resulting in the formation of positive and negative ions that are held together by the attraction of opposite charges. Covalent bonds occur when atoms share electrons, resulting in the formation of a molecule. Polar covalent bonds occur when the shared electrons are pulled more strongly towards one element, resulting in a slight positive charge on one end of the molecule and a slight negative charge on the other end. Hydrogen bonds occur when the positive end of one polar molecule is attracted to the negative end of another polar molecule. These bonds are weaker than ionic or covalent bonds but are important in biological systems, such as the hydrogen bonds between water molecules.

  
  

• Atoms of different elements interact with each other based on their electron arrangements and the number of openings for electrons in the outermost region of an atom. Electrons are present in energy levels or shells around the nucleus of an atom.
• The innermost shell is filled first, and each shell can hold a specific number of electrons. Hydrogen and helium, the only two elements in the first row of the periodic table, have only one and two electrons, respectively, in their first shell.

II. Octet Rule

• The octet rule states that atoms tend to form chemical bonds to achieve a more stable configuration by completely filling their outermost shell with electrons.
• Elements with low atomic numbers (up to calcium, with atomic number 20) can hold up to eight electrons in their outermost shells, which is why it is called the octet rule.
• Elements can donate, accept, or share electrons with other elements to fill their outer shells and satisfy the octet rule.

III. Ionic Bonds

• An ionic bond forms when one element loses electrons and another element gains electrons, forming positively charged cations and negatively charged anions.
• The positively and negatively charged ions attract each other and form ionic compounds.
• An example is sodium donating one electron to achieve a stable configuration, forming a positively charged sodium ion.

IV. Covalent Bonds

• A covalent bond forms when two or more atoms share electrons to fill their outermost shell and achieve stability.
• Covalent bonds are the strongest and most common form of chemical bond in living organisms.
• Covalent bonds do not dissociate in water, unlike ionic bonds.

V. Polar Covalent Bonds and Hydrogen Bonds

• Polar covalent bonds occur when electrons are not shared equally between atoms, resulting in partial charges.
• Hydrogen bonds form between partially charged atoms in polar covalent bonds.
• Hydrogen bonding is responsible for the unique properties of water, such as its liquid state at room temperature and its ability to dissolve polar molecules.

VI. Conclusion

• Understanding chemical bonding is crucial in understanding the structure and properties of molecules in living organisms and the world around us.
• Ionic and covalent bonds are the two most common types of chemical bonds, and they differ in the way electrons are shared between atoms.
• Polar covalent bonds and hydrogen bonds are weaker than ionic and covalent bonds but still play critical roles in the properties of biological molecules and water.

Atoms, Molecules, Compounds

 All matter is composed of elements, which are made up of atoms that contain protons, neutrons, and electrons. Atoms can combine to form molecules, and these molecules can interact to form cells, tissues, organs, and entire multicellular organisms. Each element has a unique atomic number and mass number, which are determined by the number of protons and neutrons it contains. Isotopes are different forms of the same element that have the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons. Carbon-14 is a radioisotope that is used to age formerly living objects, such as fossils, through a process called carbon dating.

Atoms, Molecules, Compounds

• Elements are composed of atoms, which are the smallest component of an element that retains all of the chemical properties of that element.
• Atoms are made up of protons, electrons, and neutrons. Protons are positively charged particles that reside in the nucleus of an atom, while electrons are negatively charged particles that travel in the space around the nucleus. Neutrons are neutral particles that reside in the nucleus of an atom. 
• Each element contains a different number of protons and neutrons, giving it its own atomic number and mass number.
• The mass number is defined as the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom. The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus, while the mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.The atomic number is equal to the number of protons, while the mass number is the number of protons plus the number of neutrons. It is possible to determine the number of neutrons by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number.
• Isotopes are different forms of the same element that have the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons. Some isotopes are unstable and will lose protons, other subatomic particles, or energy to form more stable elements. These are called radioactive isotopes or radioisotopes.
• Compounds are formed when atoms of different elements combine in specific ways to form molecules. In multicellular organisms, molecules can interact to form cells that combine to form tissues, which make up organs. These combinations continue until entire multicellular organisms are formed.
• Carbon-14 is a naturally occurring radioisotope that is created in the atmosphere by cosmic rays. When an organism dies, it is no longer ingesting Carbon-14, so the ratio of Carbon-14 to Carbon-12 will decline. Carbon-14 decays to Nitrogen-14 by a process called beta decay, with a half-life of approximately 5,730 years.
• Carbon dating is the process of determining the age of formerly living objects, such as fossils, by measuring the amount of Carbon-14 remaining in the object and comparing it to the initial concentration in the atmosphere. Isotopes with longer half-lives, such as potassium-40, are used to calculate the ages of older fossils. Carbon dating allows scientists to reconstruct the ecology and biogeography of organisms living within the past 50,000 years.

Environmental Concerns of Taiwan, 2022

What Environmental Concerns in Your Local Area Did You Learn About?

As the world highly relies on Taiwan's semiconductor supply, which is responsible for nearly 65% of the global semiconductor supply, and close to 90% of the smallest and most sophisticated chips(Ozsevim, 2022), Taiwan has its own environmental concerns.

Taiwan is a densely populated island nation located in East Asia, and its rapid industrialization and urbanization over the past few decades have led to a variety of environmental issues. One of the most pressing environmental concerns in Taiwan is air pollution. The country's heavy reliance on fossil fuels for energy production, coupled with high levels of traffic congestion in urban areas, has resulted in high levels of particulate matter and other pollutants in the air. This can lead to a variety of health problems, including respiratory issues. Another environmental concern in Taiwan is water pollution. The country's rivers and streams are often contaminated with industrial pollutants and agricultural runoff, and many of its coastal areas suffer from marine pollution. This can impact aquatic ecosystems and pose a threat to public health. In addition, Taiwan also faces challenges with waste management. With a growing population and limited space for landfills, the country has struggled to find sustainable solutions for managing its waste. The government has implemented policies to encourage recycling and reduce waste, but there is still a need for further action to address this issue. While Taiwan has made progress in addressing its environmental concerns, there is still much work to be done to ensure a sustainable future for the country.

Did they surprise you? Why or why not?

It is not surprising to learn that Taiwan, like many other rapidly developing countries, is facing environmental challenges such as air pollution, water pollution, and waste management. These issues are common in many industrialized nations, and they often arise as a consequence of economic growth and urbanization. Nevertheless, it is important to address these challenges to ensure a sustainable future for both Taiwan and the global community as a whole.

What Do You Think Can Be Done to Improve These Concerns?

I reckon that several actions can be taken to address the environmental concerns in Taiwan such as stricter regulations on emissions and pollutants including mandating the use of cleaner energy sources, or increasing public transportation and encouraging alternative modes of transportation to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. In addition, Taiwan must improve waste management practices and invest in waste management infrastructure. Moreover, agricultural runoff is a significant contributor to water pollution in Taiwan. Encouraging sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation and integrated pest management, can help reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers and minimize their impact on the environment. Most importantly, raising public awareness and encouraging citizen engagement can help foster a culture of environmental responsibility in Taiwan such as educational campaigns, community events, and incentives for individuals and businesses to adopt sustainable practices. Of course, it will require a multi-faceted approach that involves government, businesses, and individuals working together to ensure a sustainable future.

Give Two Interesting Facts That You Learned About Your Country from The Environmental Snapshots page at The UN Statistics Division Link

According to a new research predicts the future of coral reefs under climate change by the UN Environment Programme, the coral reefs around Taiwan are under threat from climate change. A 2021 study by the United Nations Environment Programme found that without significant action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, over 90% of Taiwan's coral reefs could be lost by 2050.

What Other Thoughts Would You Contribute to The Topic?

I do have some additional thoughts on the topics of air pollution and coral reefs in Taiwan. For example, air pollution is a major global health problem, and it is encouraging to see that Taiwan has made progress in reducing fine particulate matter in its ambient air. However, there is still much work to be done to further reduce air pollution and its impacts on public health and the environment. Continued efforts to reduce emissions from industrial sources, transportation, and other sectors are essential to maintain and improve air quality. The potential impact of climate change on coral reefs in Taiwan is a concern not just for the country but for the entire region. Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that support a wide range of marine life and provide many benefits to humans, including food, tourism, and coastal protection. As the UNEP study highlights, urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to minimize the impacts of climate change on coral reefs and other vulnerable ecosystems. In addition, local efforts to protect and restore coral reefs, such as reducing pollution and overfishing, can help to increase their resilience and improve their chances of survival in a changing climate.

Reference

New research predicts the future of coral reefs under climate change. UN Environment. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2023, from https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/new-research-predicts-future-coral-reefs-under-climate-change 

Ozsevim, I. (2022, November 14). Fragile Semiconductor supply chain in Taiwan exposes risks. Supply Chain Magazine. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://supplychaindigital.com/pr_newswire/fragile-semiconductor-supply-chain-in-taiwan-exposes-risks 

UN Statistics Division. (2021). Environmental snapshots. Retrieved from https://unstats.un.org/unsd/environment/Questionnaires/country_snapshots.htm

United Nations Environment Programme. (2021, May 18). New research predicts future of coral reefs under climate change. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/new-research-predicts-future-coral-reefs-under-climate-change