• Question: All cells are limited by what?

    Asked by Elisabethcabanas to Eoin, Ester, Ildiko, Natasha, Paul, Tom on 6 Nov 2017. This question was also asked by Andrea.
    • Photo: Natasha Myhill

      Natasha Myhill answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      Cells need energy to work, which they can make from glucose in a process called glycolysis. They also need to respire for which they need oxygen – if they dont get enough oxygen they will die!

    • Photo: Paul McKeegan

      Paul McKeegan answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      Yes, it’s almost always energy! Energy in the form of nutrient supply (glucose, fat, protein, etc.) or the ability to release energy from nutrients if oxygen is low. Like when your muscles ache when you’re running – the cells aren’t getting enough oxygen, so they step up glycolysis, as Natasha said – this gives about 1/30 the amount of energy as using oxygen to respire, so it doesn’t last very long and the lactate produced in glycolysis makes your muscles ache.

      See below for further research:

      It’s a banger!

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