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Chapter 2: Problem 21

Assuming that there are \(5 \times 10^{13}\) cells in the human body and that ATP is turning over at a rate of \(10^{9}\) ATP per minute in each cell, how many watts is the human body consuming? (A watt is a joule per second, and there are 4.18 joules/calorie.) Assume that hydrolysis of ATP yields 12 kcal/mole.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The human body is consuming approximately 69.4 watts.

Step by step solution

01

Calculate ATP Hydrolysis Energy Per Cell

We are given that hydrolysis of ATP yields 12 kcal/mole. First, convert 12 kcal to joules: \[ 12 \text{ kcal/mole} \times 1000 \text{ cal/kcal} \times 4.18 \text{ J/cal} = 50160 \text{ joules/mole}. \] The given rate of ATP turnover is \( 10^9 \) ATP/min per cell. Therefore, the energy used by each cell per minute is: \[ \frac{50160 \text{ joules/mole}}{6.022 \times 10^{23} \text{ molecules/mole}} \times 10^9 \text{ ATP/min} \approx 8.328 \times 10^{-11} \text{ joules/min}. \]
02

Calculate Total Energy Consumption for All Cells

Multiply the energy consumed per cell by the total number of cells: \( 8.328 \times 10^{-11} \text{ joules/min} \times 5 \times 10^{13} \text{ cells} = 4.164 \times 10^3 \text{ joules/min}. \)
03

Convert Energy to Joules per Second (Watts)

Since 1 watt is equal to 1 joule per second, we need to convert the energy consumption from joules per minute to joules per second. Divide by 60 (since there are 60 seconds in a minute): \[ \frac{4.164 \times 10^3 \text{ joules/min}}{60 \text{ sec/min}} \approx 69.4 \text{ watts}. \]

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

ATP Hydrolysis
ATP hydrolysis is a fundamental process that releases energy stored in the bonds of ATP molecules, making it available for cellular activities. Essentially, ATP or adenosine triphosphate is known as the energy currency of the cell.
During hydrolysis, one of the phosphate groups is removed from ATP, resulting in the formation of ADP (adenosine diphosphate), a free phosphate molecule, and the release of energy.
This energy release is utilized in various cellular processes such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and active transport mechanisms.
  • The energy released during ATP hydrolysis is approximately 12 kcal per mole.
  • Conversion to joules is necessary for many calculations, like determining how cells use this energy over time.
The efficiency of ATP hydrolysis depends on the cellular demands and the physiological conditions surrounding the cells.
Energy Conversion
Energy conversion is the transformation of energy from one form into another. In biological systems, this often involves converting the chemical energy stored in ATP into mechanical or thermal energy.
As ATP is hydrolyzed, the released energy is converted to perform work or heat other molecules. For example, in muscle cells, this energy conversion enables muscle fibers to contract.
  • This exercise illustrates a large-scale energy conversion, as it calculates the total energy used by all cells in the human body.
  • The conversion is quantified in terms of watts, which is a unit of power equivalent to one joule per second.
Understanding energy conversion is crucial for appreciating how the body efficiently utilizes energy to sustain life.
Biological Thermodynamics
Biological thermodynamics applies the principles of thermodynamics to the biological systems. It focuses on how organisms manage energy transformations to sustain life and perform work.
In biological processes, thermodynamics explains how energy is transferred and transformed within organisms. Particularly, it details how energy from food is transformed into a usable form鈥擜TP鈥攁nd then used for physiological processes.
  • The first law of thermodynamics, or the conservation of energy, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system. All the energy in biological systems must be accounted for, primarily as chemical energy, heat, or work.
  • This exercise highlights how much energy (calculated in watts) the human body expends as ATP is hydrolyzed in cells.
  • By understanding biological thermodynamics, we learn about the energy budget of living organisms, which is critical for understanding metabolic rates and energy efficiency.
Biological thermodynamics is a key concept that provides insights into how energy flows through living systems.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

During an all-out sprint, muscles metabolize glucose anaerobically, producing a high concentration of lactic acid, which lowers the pH of the blood and of the cytosol and contributes to the fatigue sprinters experience well before their fuel reserves are exhausted. The main blood buffer against pH changes is the bicarbonate/CO \(_{2}\) system. To improve their performance, would you advise sprinters to hold their breath or to breathe rapidly for a minute immediately before the race? Explain your answer.

Linking the energetically unfavorable reaction \(A \rightarrow B\) to a second, favorable reaction \(\mathrm{B} \rightarrow \mathrm{C}\) will shift the equilib rium constant for the first reaction.

If an oxidation occurs in a reaction, it must be accompanied by a reduction.

Because glycolysis is only a prelude to the oxidation of glucose in mitochondria, which yiclds 15 -fold more ATP, glycolysis is not really important for human cells.

The organic chemistry of living cells is said to be special for two reasons: it occurs in an aqueous environment and it accomplishes some very complex reactions. But do you suppose it is really all that much different from the organic chemistry carried out in the top laboratories in the world? Why or why not?
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