Page 34 - Consciousness in the Cell

CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE CELL
THE ENERGY OF LIFE IN YOUR CELLS:

THE ATP MOLECULE

HEAT
ELECTRICAL
ENERGY
LIGHT
The processes that use PHYSICAL
ATP and the types of PROCESSES
energy produced IN THE CELL

MOVEMENT SECRETION
CHEMICAL
REACTIONS

Energy we obtain from food cannot be used directly by our
cells in carrying out the processes required for their continued
existence. First the energy is packaged into a special molecule
called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. Later on, it's used to carry
out all the manufacture and transferals taking place in the cell.
The body uses 48 kilograms of ATP a day. But amazingly
enough, at any one point during the day, the amount of ATP in the
body never exceeds one gram. The reason for this is that ATP is
not stored, but rather is prepared in special packets for immediate
use. Never forget that the cell's life depends upon this energy. For
this reason, the production of ATP must occur very quickly. And
so, at every second, each of your approximately 100 trillion cells
consumes and regenerates ten million molecules of ATP.
How is this speed maintained?
Whenever a cell needs energy, the end phosphate linkage of the
ATP molecule's three phosphate groups is broken; that is, the
packet of energy is opened. With the breakage of one phosphate
linkage, the subsequent release of energy lets the cell carry out its
functions with ease. And this amazing process continues with

32