Chapter 17, Problem 38A

A kitten will add several kilograms to its mass as it grows into a full-sized cat. From where do the atoms that make up this added mass originate?

To determine

The factor that causes the atoms to add the mass of a cat when it grows from a kitten to a full sized cat.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

There are proteins, carbohydrates and fats are present in the food. The molecules of proteins, carbohydrates and fats are made up of carbon, hydrogen, phosphorus, nitrogen atoms.

Growth of any animal occurs by taking food. Growth of any animal is increasing its mass and size by the biological process with time.

Apart from this, another factor is water. 75 to 80 percent of protoplasm is made up of water. So, a good amount of mass of the cat also comes from the water it drinks in its whole life.

Hence, by the biological process the protein, carbohydrate and fat molecules are being included with time within the body of the animal day by day, by taking foods and it results that the mass of the animal increases.