Fuction Of Energy And Hydration In The Body

Energy and Hydration

Function

Energy

The body has three main energy systems. These are ATP system (Adenosine Tripsphosphate), Lactic Acid system and Aerobic system. The ATP system and the Lactic Acid system are bot anaerobic because both of them don't use oxygen. All of these energy systems work together to help us move and perform activities. Without these energy systems are muscles wouldn't be able to work and we would not be able to move or perform any activities.

ATP System

ATP stands for Adenosine Triphosphate. It consist of one Adenosine molecule and three (tri) phosphate molecules. When ATP molecules are broken down giving off energy one phosphate molecule is released giving a short burst of energy. This reaction happens many times over for every muscle contraction. This means a lot of it is used up very quickly. The good thing about this energy system is that after the reaction what's left can be used again. What is left is called ADP (Adenosine diphosphate). When another chemical called PC (phosphor creatine) is available ADP and the phosphate molecule are joined back together. ATP is now ready to be used again.

In this energy system the chemical reaction is very quick but the bad thing is, is that the reactions don't go for very long. The average muscle in the human body only holds about 10 seconds worth. This is why it is good for 100m sprints because it make most use of this system.

Lactic Acid System

The Lactic acid system works by creating new ATP molecules. Our muscles contain glycogen which is the stored form of sugar or carbohydrate. Through chemical reactions this is broken down into ATP molecules which are the energy we need. Lactic acid is a bi-product we don't really want. This process is called anaerobic glycolysis (anaerobic meaning without oxygen). Lactic acid build up is that heavy feeling of your muscles. Lactic acid gives us a good warning signal to back off what we are doing. Anaerobic Glycolysis is the chemical process in the lactic acid system. Because it involves a number of chemical reactions it is not as quick off the mark as ATP system. The advantage though is that it lasts a fair bit longer. It can last up to one minute and a half. This is not great for long distance runs but would be more useful than the ATP system.

Aerobic System

This system is by far the most complex. Much like the Lactic acid system it use the large amount of glycogen well. This system provides a clean efficient supply of energy to the muscle. It is Ð''clean' because once oxygen is available to the muscle a different chemical reaction called Aerobic Glycolysis. In this reaction the bi-products are water and carbon dioxide. This