Electronville

The Cycle of Life

Photosynthesis

Life on earth depends on photosynthesis by plants, algae and sunlight. The observable outcomes of trees, food and oxygen are well documented but the details of the automated mechanisms remain somewhat a mystery. Photosynthesis occurs only in chloroplast structures with chlorophyll type pigments that exist only in plants. The process begins with solar photon excitation of the pigment molecule electrons which are replaced from water molecules. The process splits water molecules, to release oxygen and hydrogen ions. Solar excited electrons go on to form energetic ATP and NADBH molecules. The Calvin cycle continues wherein CO2 in the suroundings forms into organic matter like sugar and carbohydrates. This meets the food requirements of the plant itself and later for humans and animals. Consequently, water and carbon dioxide provide the basic elements to form the biological molecules of life. The process continues in trees to synthesize more complex molecular chains for wood trunks.

Green Plants & Trees

The photosynthetic life promoting spectrum depends on the type of accessory pigments present. For example, in green plants, the action spectrum resembles the absorption spectrum for chlorophyll's and carotenoids with peaks for violet-blue and red light. In red algae, the action spectrum overlaps with the absorption spectrum of phycobilins for red blue-green light, which allows these algae to grow in deeper waters that filter out the longer wavelengths used by green plants. The non-absorbed part of the light spectrum is what gives photosynthetic organisms their color (e.g., green plants, red algae, purple bacteria) and is the least effective for photosynthesis in the respective organisms..

Respiration (Breathing)

Cellular respiration by animals and humans starts with breathing oxygen into blood which reacts with glucose to release the energy required by all living things to drive the hearts and brains. Cellular respiration by the plant itself provides wood type structure for trunks and branches. Animal cellular respiration with food and oxygen is complex, in order to supply energy for their cells and any activity. The reacting molecules of oxygen and carbohydrates must first be acquired and then delivered by blood to living cells. For human, lungs acquire the free oxygen and deliver it to blood. A digestive system converts food for molecular transfer to blood. Physical disruption and biological infection can get in the way, however, to prevent proper delivery and processing in both the respiratory and digestive systems. Without oxygen or food animals and fish die.

Food Energy

Plants and algae are the primary converters of solar energy for human needs. Photosynthes by plants stores energy in stable chemicals for later consumption for food, heat or power. For example, burning wood branches with oxygen liberates the stored solar energy for warmth and cooking. Oxidation releases the stored energy and returns the atomic structures to the lowest energy state as water and carbon dioxide.

Biological Magic

We must eat daily for nutrition and energy in order to live and function; organized commercial agriculture brings food and energy to the table. A plant uses roughly half the energy income from the sun for its own respiration. An animal eating plants dissipates 90% of the energy collected for its own metabolism and activity.

ATP (adenosine tripolyphosphate) is the magic ingredient for energy delivery to animal muscles cells . Respiration is vital in living organisms; oxygen is inhaled and then carried by the blood to the individual cells to metabolize ATP and liberate the energy to the cells. Each cell in the body is estimated to use between 1 to 2 billion ATP molecules per minute for muscular contraction in routine movements.

At the Table

The preparation of food should be visually attractive and to appeal to our sense of taste as become a sophisticated art in the home and a major commercial activity for business and the economy

Farm to Market

In general, human communities include organized preparation and delivery of food by specialized professionals. Special farms grow fruits, vegetables and animals like cattle and sheep. Cows and goats generate milk. and cheese. Forests of trees are managed and then cut for wood and lumber. On the ocean, professional fishermen catch tuna and lobsters. When all is ready and packaged, they are all brought to a market for sale to consuming individuals. These procedures allow the consumers to engage in activities aside from searching for food.

Food and Fuel

Sugar and other biological molecules are synthesized to provide the food and energy for living organisms but they are also suitable for making fuel.