Bioenergetics

B ioenergetics is a metabolic process in which cells possess chemical pathways that are
capable of converting foodstuffs (i.e. fata, proteins, carbohydrates) into a biological usable
form of energy. In order for you to run, jump, or swim, skeletal muscle cells must be able
to continuously extract energy from food nutrients. To continue to contract muscle cells must have a
continuous source of energy. When energy is not readily available, muscular contraction is not possible,
and thus work must stop. Therefore, it is critical that the student of exercise physiology develop a
thorough understanding of bioenergetics.

To understand bioenergetics, it is important to have some appreciation to the cell structure and function.
Over 95 of human body is composed of four elements (an element is a basic chemical substance), these
elements include oxygen (65%), carbon (18%), hydrogen (10%), and nitrogen (3%). Additional elements
found in our body with small amounts like sodium, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, chloride and
calcium. The various elements are linked by chemical bonds to form molecular compounds.

Compounds either contain carbon and called organic like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, or compound
do not contain carbon and called inorganic like water (H2O).

CELL STRUCTURE
The cell is the basic functional unit of the body. The cell is highly organized factory capable of
synthesizing the large number of compounds necessary for normal function.
Note:

 Not all cells are alike

 Not all cells are performed the same function.

Cell structure can be divided into three major parts:

1. Cell membrane (plasma membrane)
- Semipermeable membrane
- Separate cell from the extracellular environment

Function:
a- enclose the component of the cell.
b- Regulate the passage of various types of substances in and out of the cell.
2. Nucleus
- Large, rounded body.
- Contain the cellular genetic components (genes- DNA).

Function:

Genes or DNA is the basis for genetic cod that regulate protein synthesis.
3. Cytoplasm: (called sarcoplasm in muscle cell)
- Is the fluid portion of the cell between the nucleus and the cell membrane.
- Contain various organelles (minute structure) concerned with specific cellular function like
mitochondrion.

Function:
a- Mitochondrion (power house) of the cell is involved in the oxidative conversion of foodstuffs into
usable cellular energy.
b- Contain enzymes that regulate the breakdown of glucose (glycolysis).