Bioenergetics (biology)

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Bioenergetics (based on the English bioenergetics from ancient Greek βίος bíos "life" and ancient Greek ἐνέργεια energeia "effectiveness") is a field of biology , biophysics and biochemistry that deals with energy conversions in living structures. In a narrower sense, it is the science of the energy supply and energy balance of living cells (then also called cellular or molecular bioenergetics). In a broader sense, bioenergetics also examines the ecological energy balance of organisms and the energy flow in populations and ecosystems.

Physical basis

The central subject of cellular bioenergetics are the cellular mechanisms of energy conversion, which are without exception necessary to fulfill certain functions of the cell. Bioenergetics in general is based on the laws of chemistry and physics , especially thermodynamics . However, thermodynamics is the overarching term that also refers to energy conversions in inanimate matter. Since energy is generally understood to be the ability to perform work, it appears as potential, kinetic, heat and also electrical ( electromagnetic ) energy. The work that can be performed appears as mechanical, osmotic or electromagnetic work.

Bioenergetics in biochemistry, biology and ecology

The majority of all superficial life processes on earth are based on photosynthesis and the use of sunlight as an energy source. Within organisms, the energy turnover is based in many ways on chemosynthesis ( chemotrophy ). The reaction products resulting from photo- or chemosynthesis are degradable in various biochemical steps through aerobic respiration or anaerobic fermentation , whereby with a certain efficiency the cell uses energy for the various biological processes and functions and this can also be stored for an interim period. This energy is temporarily available to the cell in the form of ATP , for example . With all cellular energy conversions, heat is released or bound. A large part of bioenergetic reactions takes place in eukaryotes in the intracellular mitochondria .

Energy flows in populations or communities are examined within the framework of energy balances .

literature

  • Peter Gräber, Giulio Milazzo (Ed.): Bioenergetics (= Bioelectrochemistry 4). Birkhäuser, Basel 1997, ISBN 978-3-0348-9860-7 .
  • Irving M. Klotz: Energetics of biochemical reactions. An introduction. Translated and edited by Peter Karlson . 2nd Edition. G. Thieme, Stuttgart et al. 1971, ISBN 3-13-361802-4
  • Albert L. Lehninger : Bioenergetics. Molecular basis of biological energy conversions. 3rd unchanged edition. G. Thieme, Stuttgart et al. 1982, ISBN 3-13-446703-8 .
  • David G. Nicholls, Stuart J. Ferguson: Bioenergetics 3rd 3rd edition. Amsterdam Academic Press, Amsterdam et al. 2002, ISBN 0-12-518121-3 .
  • Bruno Streit : Ecology. A short textbook. G. Thieme, Stuttgart et al. 1980, ISBN 3-13-583501-1 .
  • Wolfgang Wieser: Bioenergetics. Energy transformations in organisms. G. Thieme, Stuttgart et al. 1986, ISBN 3-13-692201-8 .
  • David G. Nicholls, Stuart Ferguson: Bioenergetics (Fourth Edition) . Academic Press, Boston, 2013 ISBN 978-0-12-388425-1 [1]