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Chapter 2: Problem 15

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 molecules per minute in each cell, how many watts is the human body consuming? (A watt is a joule per second.) Assume that hydrolysis of ATP yields \(50 \mathrm{kJ} / \mathrm{mole}\).

Short Answer

Expert verified
The human body consumes about 69 watts.

Step by step solution

01

Determine Total ATP Molecules Turnover in All Cells

To find out the total ATP molecules being turned over per minute in the entire human body, multiply the number of cells by the turnover rate per cell. \[(5 \times 10^{13}) \text{ cells} \times (10^9) \text{ ATP/cell/min} = 5 \times 10^{22} \text{ ATP/min}\]
02

Convert ATP Molecules to Moles

One mole of any substance contains Avogadro's number of molecules, which is approximately \(6.022 \times 10^{23}\). Therefore, divide the total ATP molecules per minute by Avogadro鈥檚 number to find the moles of ATP used per minute.\[\frac{5 \times 10^{22} \text{ ATP/min}}{6.022 \times 10^{23} \text{ molecules/mole}} \approx 0.083 \text{ moles ATP/min}\]
03

Calculate Energy Released per Minute

Using the energy yield from hydrolysis, find the total energy released per minute. The hydrolysis of one mole of ATP releases 50 kJ.\[0.083 \text{ moles ATP/min} \times 50 \text{ kJ/mole} = 4.15 \text{ kJ/min}\]
04

Convert Energy to Joules per Minute

Since 1 kJ equals 1000 J, convert the kJ/min to J/min.\[4.15 \text{ kJ/min} \times 1000 \text{ J/kJ} = 4150 \text{ J/min}\]
05

Convert Power to Watts

A watt is defined as a joule per second. Since there are 60 seconds in a minute, convert the energy consumption from joules per minute to joules per second to find the body鈥檚 power consumption in watts.\[\frac{4150 \text{ J/min}}{60 \text{ s/min}} \approx 69.17 \text{ W}\]
06

Conclusion

Thus, the human body is consuming approximately 69 watts to fuel all cellular activities.

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Key Concepts

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

ATP turnover
ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the primary energy carrier in cells. The process of ATP turnover involves the continuous cycle of ATP being broken down into ADP and a phosphate group, and then being regenerated from ADP back into ATP. This cycle is vital as it provides the necessary energy for cellular processes.
In humans, ATP turnover is an ongoing process that occurs incessantly to sustain life. Each cell in the human body is responsible for producing a huge number of ATP molecules every minute to meet energy demands.
Given the vast number of cells in the human body, ATP turnover represents a tremendous amount of energy cycling, ensuring our body functions properly at all times. Understanding ATP turnover helps us appreciate how our cells efficiently manage and use energy.
Energy conversion
Energy conversion in biological systems refers to transforming energy from one form to another, allowing organisms to perform various functions. For humans, this conversion primarily involves converting chemical energy stored in food molecules to ATP, the usable energy form.
Whenever ATP is synthesized or utilized, energy conversion is happening. When ATP is broken down, the process releases energy that cells use for activities like muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and biosynthesis.
The efficiency of this conversion can be seen in how effectively our cells capture and utilize energy released from ATP, emphasizing the remarkable intrinsic energy management of biological organisms.
Human metabolism
Metabolism in humans encompasses all chemical reactions that occur within the body, including those for breaking down nutrients to produce energy and using this energy for various bodily functions.
Human metabolism can be broadly divided into two categories:
  • Anabolic reactions: These build complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy.
  • Catabolic reactions: These break down complex molecules, releasing energy.
ATP sits at the heart of metabolism, linking catabolic and anabolic reactions. Energy released from catabolic processes is captured in the form of ATP, which then powers anabolic reactions and other cellular operations.
Cellular respiration
Cellular respiration is the metabolic process whereby cells generate ATP by breaking down glucose. This process occurs in the mitochondria and can be aerobic or anaerobic.
In aerobic respiration, oxygen is used, and a high amount of ATP is produced, making it the primary process for energy extraction in human cells. It involves several stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain.
These reactions are complex but collectively ensure that the energy from glucose is efficiently converted into ATP. Through cellular respiration, cells maintain their energy currency and support the vast energy requirements of the human body.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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

Polymerization of tubulin subunits into microtubules occurs with an increase in the orderliness of the subunits. Yet tubulin polymerization occurs with an increase in entropy (decrease in order). How can that be?

In the absence of oxygen, cells consume glucose at a high, steady rate. When oxygen is added, glucose consumption drops precipitously and is then maintained at the lower rate. Why is glucose consumed at a high rate in the absence of oxygen and at a low rate in its presence?

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?

A \(70-\mathrm{kg}\) adult human \((154 \mathrm{lb})\) could meet his or her entire energy needs for one day by eating 3 moles of glucose \((540 \mathrm{g}) .\) (We do not recommend this.) Each molecule of glucose generates 30 molecules of ATP when it is oxidized to \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\). The concentration of ATP is maintained in cells at about \(2 \mathrm{mM}\), and a 70 -kg adult has about 25 liters of intracellular fluid. Given that the ATP concentration remains constant in cells, calculate how many times per day, on average, each ATP molecule in the body is hydrolyzed and resynthesized.
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