Bioenergetics

Bioenergetics (based on the engl. Bioenergetics of ancient Greek βίος bios "life" and ancient Greek ἐνέργεια energeia "effectiveness" ) is a field of biology, biophysics and biochemistry, which deals with transformations of energy in living structures. She is ( then also called cellular or molecular bioenergetics ) in a narrower sense, the science of living by the power supply and the energy balance cells. In a broader sense bioenergetics also examines the ecological energy balance of organisms and the flow of energy in populations and ecosystems.

The physical basis

Central theme of cellular bioenergetics are the cellular mechanisms of energy conversion that are invariably required to fulfill certain functions of the cell. Basis of bioenergetics in general, the laws of chemistry and physics, especially thermodynamics. However, the thermodynamics is the superordinate term that also refers to energy conversions in inanimate matter. Since energy under generally the ability to perform work is understood, it will be released as potential, kinetic, thermal and electrical (electromagnetic ) energy. The verrichtbare work appears therefore as mechanical, osmotic or electromagnetic work.

Bioenergetics in biochemistry, biology and ecology

The majority of all life processes on Earth is based on photosynthesis and the use of sunlight as an energy source. In an oxygen-free environment, the primary production often based on chemosynthesis. The resulting by photo- or chemosynthesis reaction products are degradable in various biochemical steps through aerobic respiration or anaerobic fermentation, which with a specific efficiency for the cell accumulates usable energy for diverse biological processes and functions and these can also be stored for a meantime. This energy is, for example, temporarily in the form of ATP is available. In all cellular energy transformations produced as a waste product heat. Much of bioenergetic reactions occur in eukaryotes from the intracellular mitochondria.

The accounting of energy flows in the individual ( or even in populations or communities ) is examined in the context of energy balance.

Exemplary Literature

  • P. Graves (ed.): Bioenergetics ( Bioelectrochemistry = 4). Birkhäuser, Basel, inter alia, 1997, ISBN 3-7643-5295-7.
  • Irving M. Klotz: energetics of biochemical reactions. An Introduction. Translated and edited by Peter Karlson. 2nd edition. G. Thieme, Stuttgart 1971, inter alia, ISBN 3-13-361802-4
  • Albert L. Lehninger: bioenergetics. Molecular basis of biological energy conversion. 3 unchanged edition. G. Thieme, Stuttgart 1982, inter alia, ISBN 3-13-446703-8.
  • David G. Nicholls, Stuart J. Ferguson: Bioenergetics 3 3rd edition. Amsterdam Academic Press, Amsterdam inter alia, 2002, ISBN 0-12-518121-3.
  • Bruno Streit: Ecology. A short textbook. G. Thieme, Stuttgart 1980, inter alia, ISBN 3-13-583501-1 ( ISBN formally wrong ).
  • Wolfgang Wieser: bioenergetics. Energy transformations in organisms. G. Thieme, Stuttgart, among other things, 1986, ISBN 3-13-692201-8.
  • Biochemistry
  • Biophysics
Energy flow (ecology) Osmosis Adenosine triphosphate Integrated Authority File
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