Introduction
Energy is one of the most basic requirements for all organisms. Physiological maintenance, growth, and reproduction all depend on energy acquisition. Organisms are complex systems, and if energy input stops, so does biological functioning.
Enzyme systems fail if replacement proteins are not made. Cell membranes degrade and organelles cease to operate without energy to maintain and repair them. In this chapter, we will review the different ways in which organisms acquire energy to meet the demands of cellular maintenance, growth, reproduction, and survival. We'll focus on the major mechanisms that allow organisms to obtain energy from their environment, including the capture of sunlight and chemical energy and the acquisition and use of organic compounds synthesized by other organisms.
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