Essay Sample on Energy Systems of the Human Body: ATP, PC, and Glycolysis

Introduction

According to the thoroughly conducted studies, it is confirmed that the human body contains several energy components. For the body to work efficiently in all the daily activities, there are energy systems that are actively involved. Conversely, after the consumption of food into our bodies, it is broken down into particles that travel to different parts to perform their specific function. The energy systems present are namely; the Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the phosphocreatine (PC), the Anaerobic Glycolysis (lactic acid) System and the Aerobic Glycolytic System. All these systems work in the body at all times. Also, they work interdependently not only to provide energy but also for the growth and development of the body. I realized that my body was growing gradually since childhood and has not shut down even after performing backbreaking work. I had to embrace the knowledge about the human energy system and get a clear understanding. This essay focuses on the mentioned energy systems and their function in the human body for one to become physically fit.

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Firstly, the Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is the one that carries energy around the body stored in the muscle cell. (Alberti, 2017) Eventually, while the phosphate is being broken down, on the other side, energy is being produced. The ATP energy system is purposefully used for mighty and swift movements. After the energy becomes depleted, the process reoccurs again as this takes approximately thirty seconds to one minute for it to reenergize. The process is said to make a limited duration as sprinters have the best developed ATP. The process does not have any waste products as oxygen is not a requirement for ATP to perform its function. ATP remarkably can extract energy from the food consumed by the body, and after that, provide power to the reactions that require it. It stores its energy in a bond that is of a high energy phosphate. Furthermore, ATP has to be purified before it becomes used, and it has to be present for the human muscles to be able to contract.

Another molecule found in the muscle cell is known as the phosphocreatine (PC). Once the ATP is broken down, it forms one phosphate and the Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP). In addition to this, phosphocreatine is also broken down by an enzyme that goes by creatine kinase. The phosphates of the phosphocreatine get together with the Adenosine Diphosphate to reform the Adenosine Triphosphate again. The process seems to be a continuous one as there is also no energy required for it to become fulfilled. It is said to last at about one minute to one and a half minutes at most.

The Anaerobic Glycolysis (lactic acid) is also another system involved in the functioning of the body. Glucose stored in the blood or the muscles is broken down. Hence this is where the system gets its energy. As humans, we all experience a burning sensation at times in our lives, and this is the process where lactic acid becomes produced. The body may sometimes be unable to clear out the lactic acid; thus, the activity becoming performed cannot be maintained and had to become aborted. The Anaerobic Glycolysis system takes approximately one and a half minutes to three minutes.

The final system is the Aerobic Glycolytic System, which, by other names, is called the Oxygen system. Fats and carbohydrates are the primary sources of energy for this system. Besides, oxygen needs to be actively involved in this system to work. This system can go on for a long time if not intense and the waste products being water and carbon dioxide. Conversely, lactic acid begins to become produced if the glucose becomes depleted.

Since learning this concept of energy, I have become conscious of my working environment as I'm able to understand the different bodily reactions. It has come to my attention that my body begins to work with a lot of energy and enthusiasm, but after some time, it becomes tired. Furthermore, this gets to an extent where the body sweats off and sometimes produces lactic acid. The knowledge brought about by understanding the energy system has thus become very helpful.

References

Jones, W., & Bianchi, K. (2015). Aerobic glycolysis: beyond proliferation. Frontiers in immunology, 6, 227.

Tennessen, J. M., Bertagnolli, N. M., Evans, J., Sieber, M. H., Cox, J., & Thummel, C. S. (2014). Coordinated metabolic transitions during Drosophila embryogenesis and the onset of aerobic glycolysis. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics, 4(5), 839-850.

Patel, A., Malinovska, L., Saha, S., Wang, J., Alberti, S., Krishnan, Y., & Hyman, A. A. (2017). ATP as a biological hydrotrope. Science, 356(6339), 753-756.