Biology 12

THINKING LAB

Metabolic Rate and Exercise

Background

Researchers working on the impact of exercise and diet on
human metabolic processes have come up with six actions
to improve resting or basal metabolic rate (BMR). These six
actions increase the efficiency with which cells metabolize
food molecules into ATP and anabolize macromolecules for
cellular work.

1.Exercise frequently, for a long period of time (between

30 and 60 minutes), and with sufficient intensity.

2.Increase metabolically active tissue (or muscles) through

total-body exercise.

3.Eat well between five and six times per day.

4.Eat within 30 to 60 minutes after exercising.

5.Split your exercise routine into two sessions per day,

and drink a carbohydrate drink 30 to 60 minutes after

each session.

6.Concentrate on exercising large muscle groups.

You Try It

1.Using the library and/or Internet resources, conduct

further research on human basal metabolic rate

focussing on the actions listed above.

2.How would any of these actions increase the rate at

which you metabolize food? Record your findings in

a notebook.

3.How could you calculate your basal metabolic rate?

4.If you are able, experiment with any two or more of the

above actions to improve your basal metabolic rate.

First, determine your basal metabolic rate before you

begin your study. Then practise the actions for at least

three weeks, recording your exercise and eating

regimen daily.

Calculate your BMR

again and compare

the result to your

original BMR. Did

a three-week

period of prescribed

exercise and diet

increase or decrease

your BMR?

Chapter 3 Cellular Energy • MHR 77

CONCEPT ORGANIZER ATP Synthesis

Enzymes

(Chapter 2, section 2.2)

Energy

(Chapter 2, section 2.1)

Coupled reactions

(Chapter 2, section 2.3)

Electrons

(Chapter 1, section 1.1;

Chapter 3, section 3.2)

Chemiosmosis

(Chapter 3, section 3.2)

ATP synthesis

Enzymes catalyze exothermic chemical reactions, which release energy. Energy

from these reactions is coupled to ATP formation. In the electron transport

chain, energy from electrons is used to move H+ions into the intermembrane

space. During chemiosmosis, the movement of hydrogen ions (H+) across the

inner membrane releases energy, which is used to form ATP molecules.

Figure 3.13ATP formation during cellular respiration