Metabolism

Types. Metabolism is of two kinds, catabolism and anabolism. Anabolism includes all the “ building up” reactions It is also called constructions metabolism since it involves the synthesis of complex substances from simpler ones e.g. synthesis of organic compounds from CO2 and H2O during photosynthesis, formation of starch from glucose production of proteins from amino acids, formations of lipids from fatty acids and alcohols. Energy is stored in the process.

                                   Chlorophyll, light energy, enzymes      

6CO2 + 12H2O                          →                             C6H12O6 +H2O+6O2

                                          enzymes  energy

          nC6H12O6                           →             (C6H12O5)n + nH2O

Catabolism constitutes “Breakdown reactions” It is also known as destructive metabolism because it involves braking of complex substance into sipper ones. Potential energy present in the complex substances is converted into kinetic energy. Respiration is an example of catabolism. It releases energy for performing different body activities.

1.      Growth. Growth is irreversible increase in mass of an individual. A multicellular organism increases its mass by cell division. In plants growth continues throughout life as they have meristematic areas where cell divisions occur regularly. In animals, growth occurs to a certain age after which cells divide only to replace worn out and lost cells. Unicellular organisms also grow by cell division. However, cell division is also a means of reproduction in them. In higher animals and plants, growth and reproduction are exclusive.

Living organisms show internal growth due to addition of materials and formation of cells inside the body. Such a method is called intussusceptions. A dead organisms does not grow. However , some nonliving articles can increase in size e.g., mountains, boulders, crystals, stones, It is due to addition of similar materials to their outer surface. The process is called accretion. In living being growth production substances are of two types, protoplasmic and apoplasmic. Protoplasmic substance are components of living matter components of living matter like cytoplasm and nucleus. Apolasmic substances are nonliving materials formed by the cells which become component of tissues, e.g., cell wall fibres  of connective tissue , matrix of bone and cartilage. For growth to occur, three processes are involved – cell division, cell enlargement and secretion of apoplasmic substances. All the three can be studied during development of embryo from zygote.

2.      Consciousness. It is awareness of the surroundings and responding to external stimuli. The external stimuli can be physical, chemical, or biological. The stimuli are perceived by sense organs in higher animals, e.g., eyes, nose. Plants do not possess such water, temperature, pollutants, pollutants, other organisms, etc. Photoperiods influence reproduction in those animals and plants which breed during particular season.

All organisms, from primitive prokaryotes to most advanced and complex eukaryotes, are able to sense and respond to environmental factors. Organisms also handle chemicals entering their bodies. Human being have an additional faculty of self consciousness or Jiva bhava. Old India scriptures have quantified chetan tatwa  

or consciousness in the units called Kalas. Plants are believed to have one kala,

small animals two, oviparous animals three while viviparous animals have four kalas. Human have five or more than five kalas, some even 16 kalas. Consciousness, is said to be the defining property of living organisms.

What is Living ?

What is Living ?

Life is a unique, complex organization of molecules that expresses itself through chemical reactions which lead to growth, development, responsiveness, adaptation and reproduction. The objects exhibiting growth development responsiveness and other characteristics of life are designated as living beings. They have their own specific from and structure. Based on these characteristics The living object can be recognized as trees, shrubs, cattle, bride, fungi, bacteria, etc. However, A specific shape, size and structure is also present in many non- living objects such as brick or rock. No single trait of life can distinguish a living being from a non living object. Therefore, a number of traits are examined simultaneously to differentiate living being.

1.       Cellular Structure. Each living being is a complex entity which is formed of one or more cells. The cells are made of protoplasm, popularly called Living matter. Composition of living matter is known. However, we have not yet been able to create protoplasm because of lack of organization of bimolecular. Protoplasm and cellular structure are absent in viruses.

2.       Organization. A living being has an organization, That is the living being consists of several components and subcompacts which cooperate with one another for the well being of the whole organism. A living being has multiple level organization. Each level of organization has its own properties which are not found in its constituents. A cellular organelle develops a property not found in its interacting molesting components. A living cell has its own characteristics not found in its organelles. A tissue is able to have a trait  not founds in its constituent cells.

3.       Energy. Living being constantly require energy not only to perform various activities of the body but also to overcome entropy or tendency to randomness. The source of food it is required by every cell of the body.

4.       Homeostasis. A favorable internal environment suitable for the functioning of body organs is present  in every living being. It is quite different from the external environment. Changes in external environment  do not have much impact on the internal environment as the living being have a self regulated systems to adjust and on the internal environment as. The Phenomenon is called homeostasis. Homeostasis is also parents in each calls of a multicellular organism.

5.       Metabolism. All organisms whether unicellular, multicellular, plants, animals. Fungi or microbes operate a network of thousands of chemical reactions. The sum total of all chemical reactions occurring in an organism due to specific interactions amongst different types of molecules within the interior of cells is called metabolism. Metabolism involves transformation of matter and energy within an organism including growth, movements, development, responsiveness, reproduction, etc. are due to metabolism. No nonliving object shown metabolism. However, metabolic reactions can be carried out outside the body of an organism in cell free systems. Such reactions are neither living nor nonliving. The isolated in vitro metabolic reactions can, however, be called biological reactions or living reactions as they involve biochemical.