Answer :
Answer:
Energy is delivered to the body through the foods we eat and liquids we drink. Foods contain a lot of stored chemical energy; when you eat, your body breaks down these foods into smaller components and absorbs them to use as fuel. Energy comes from the three main nutrients carbohydrates, protein, and fats, with carbohydrates being the most important energy source. In cases where carbohydrates have been depleted, the body can utilise protein and fats for energy. Your metabolism is the chemical reactions in the body’s cells that change this food into energy.
Most of the energy the body needs is for being at rest, known as the Basal Metabolism. This is the minimum amount of energy the body requires to maintain its vital functions such as breathing, circulation and organ functions. The rate at which energy is utilised for such functions is known as the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and varies based on genetics, sex, age, height and weight. Your BMR drops as you get older because muscle mass decreases.
Optimal energy metabolism requires getting sufficient nutrients from our foods, otherwise our energy metabolism underperforms and we feel tired and sluggish. All foods give you energy and some foods in particular help increase your energy levels, such as bananas (excellent source of carbohydrates, potassium and vitamin B6), fatty fish like salmon or tuna (good source of protein, fatty acids and B vitamins), brown rice (source of fibre, vitamins and minerals), and eggs (source of protein). There are actually many foods that provide an abundant amount of energy, particularly those packed with carbohydrates for available energy, fibre or protein for a slow release of energy and essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Foods are metabolised at a cellular level to make ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)
by a process known as cellular respiration. It is this chemical ATP that the cell uses for energy for many cellular processes including muscle contraction and cell division. This process requires oxygen and is called aerobic respiration.
Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy (as ATP)
Initially, large food macromolecules are broken down by enzymes into simple subunits in the process known as digestion. Proteins are broken down into amino acids, polysaccharides into sugars, and fats into fatty acids and glycerol—through the action of specific enzymes. Following this process, the smaller subunit molecules then have to enter the cells of the body. They firstly enter the cytosol (the aqueous part of the cytoplasm of a cell) where the cellular respiration process begins.
Hope this helps. ;-]
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