Animals get the energy to perform tasks like hummingbirds flapping their wings at high speeds and falcons flying at 200 mph from the foods they eat. Their cells break down food and convert it into glucose, which cells absorb and further convert into ATP molecules. ATP is the main energy currency that cells use and easily break down to power their functions. Cells also need to absorb nutrients through their semipermeable membranes to sustain life processes and dispose of waste byproducts that result.

1. Life Science Cells & Energy Spring 06’

2. Amazing Energy How do animals get the energy to do the things they do? Hummingbirds flap their wings 90 beats per SECOND! Certain types of falcons can fly at speeds of 200 mph These animals get their energy from the foods they eat-their cells breakdown the food and turn it into energy

3. Energy Energy can be found in many different forms. The sun gives off light energy Food breaks down into chemical energy Sugar is called glucose and glucose molecules are absorbed by the cells of your body for energy Cells turn the glucose into a special compound called ATP ATP is the actual energy form easily broken down by the cells for energy.

4. How materials enter and leave the cell Cells need to absorb certain materials to carry out life functions. They also need to dispose of waste materials that are a byproduct of life functions. The cell is semipermeable. There are tiny holes in the cell membrane that allow certain molecules to pass through Food must be broken down into the nutrients the body needs and those nutrients are small enough and have the coding to allow them to pass through