Health And Social Care Unit 5 Anatomy And Physiology

Unit 5 Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care

P4 Explain the physiology of two named body systems in relation to energy metabolism in the body

The two body systems selected in relation to energy metabolism in the body are the digestive system and cardiovascular system. The digestive system breaks down foods and the cardiovascular system enables absorption and usage of the food. The term energy metabolism in the body relates to chemical reactions that that maintain cells and organisms. It is divided into two categories: catabolism is the breakdown of molecules to obtain energy and anabolism the synthesis of all compounds needed by the cells. Metabolism is responsible for converting nutrients in food that we eat in to energy. We need

Energy is also needed to circulate blood, breath, take in oxygen, make new cells, grow, repair, and to transmit nerve impulses to react to changes in the environment. For example, moving quickly to get out of danger or recognising the best course of action to take in an emergency situation.

Energy is also needed to build complex molecules such as enzymes and hormones from the simple molecules produced after we digest food and drink. A constant supply of energy is needed by the body and cells to enable all of these activities, and without this energy we would be unable to function as living beings.

The main function of food that we eat and what we drink is to supply enough energy to support functions of the body. The cells of the body break down the energy provided in the food through a system known as cellular respiration. Cellular respiration means the food is broken down by the cells to produce the energy which is in the form of ATP molecules (Adenosine Tri Phosphate). Cellular respiration is the process of changing food molecules to water, carbon dioxide and

The proper functioning of one system relies on the proper functioning of the other system. In other words, the digestive system needs to be in good working order to support the functions of the cardiovascular system.

An example of the digestive and cardiovascular systems interrelating is: the first step in digestion of fat is to dissolve it into the intestine where bile acids produced by the liver dissolve the fat into fatty acids and cholesterol. The bile acids join with the fatty acids and cholesterol and vessels then carry the changed fat to the veins of the chest, and the blood carries the fat to storage in different parts of the body. This is how the two body systems interrelate, and therefore if food isn’t eaten or the digestive system breaks down the cardiovascular system will also be affected.

The two systems also interrelate during digestion of food and drink when the body produces enzymes to break down the food into smaller pieces and the nutrients from the food are absorbed in the intestines and into the bloodstream. The blood then flows, spreading the nutrients throughout the body. As the blood circulates, the toxins produced by the digestive system are transported through the cardiovascular system to the kidneys to get rid