Chapter 4, Problem 1RQ

List the three basic forms of work and give a physiological example of each.

Summary Introduction

To determine: The three basic forms of work with their examples.

Introduction: Biomolecules provide energy to animals and animals used this energy to perform their daily activities. The capacity to complete a task is known as energy.

Explanation of Solution

In a biological system, work can be in three forms, which are as follows:

• Chemical work:

  The cleaving and forming the bonds in a chemical reaction is a form of work. This form of work is known as chemical work. Chemical work enables the growth of cells, maintenance of the environment inside the body, and information storage. For example, in protein chemical bonds are formed, which is an example of chemical work.

• Transport work:

  In the body of humans, many concentration gradients are made by transport work. Transport work enables the movement of the ions and molecules across the membrane. For example, calcium ion is imported from the cytosol to cell organelles. In this work, endoplasmic reticulum utilizes energy, and the movement of ions helps in the contraction of muscles.

• Mechanical work:

  Animals use mechanical work for their movement. For examples, the movement of organelles in the cell, change in the shape of the cell, and the movement of filaments and cilia.

Therefore, the three forms of work are mechanical work, chemical work, and transport work.