Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
What are the effects of chemicals in food and drink on cellular function? …
What are the effects of chemicals in food and drink on cellular function?
Chemicals
Chemicals hazardous to cells
Cyanide
Disrupts cellular respiration by disabling an enzyme in the pathway
Carbon monoxide
Blocks reaction between hemoglobin and oxygen in red blood cells
Harmful effects of chemicals in cells
Mutation due to mistakes during cell division, or exposure to DNA-damaging agents in the environment.
Cancer
Deformities in children
Infertility
Superbugs - antibiotic resistance
Mutation in bacteria, hence the body cannot produce antibodies to destroy.
Common everyday chemicals
Water
Soaps
Salt
Benefits of chemicals in cells
Pharmaceutical - Immunosuppressive drugs, hormones, antibiotics
Cleaning products
Agriculture - pesticides, herbicides, hormones
Food preservation
Makeup products
Sugar
Baking Soda
Clothes washing detergents
Fabric softeners
CHEMICAL: a form of matter having constant chemical composition and characteristic properties
Chemicals in food/drink
Food
Carbohydrates
Protein
Fat
Food additives
Harmful effects
ADHD (Triggers oxidative metabolism)
Heart difficulties (Cells damaged in heart)
Cancer (DNA damaging agent)
Asthma (Cells damaged in lungs)
Obesity (cells will contain more lipids)
Toxic substances/contaminants
Gastrointestinal symptoms
DNA damage, which could cause cancer
Kidney damage
Impairment of nervous system
Liver disease
Foods with chemicals
Yogurt
Caramel colouring - triggers hyperactivity in mice and children. Therefore, Neural activity triggers oxidative metabolism (to produce ATP) within neurons followed by breakdown of energy stores (glycogen) and uptake of glucose from blood capillaries into astrocytes to produce lactate
Pickles
Contains sodium benzoate, which damages mitochondria, hence affecting ATP production.
Popcorn
Protein bars
Drinks
Alcahol (ethanol)
Wine
Vodka
Beer
Spiriits
Energy drinks
Redbull
V
Monster
Electrolyte drinks
Gatorade
Powerade
Sodas
Caffeinated drinks
Coffee
Tea
Cellular function
Reproduction
Chemicals such as food additives as well as contaminated food/drink can reduce infertility and therefore affect reproduction
Excretion
Growth
Nutrition
Sensitivity
Caffeine is an example of sensitivity as it is a stimuli for the brain, affecting the way the brain responds.
Respiration
Aerobic respiration: a metabolic process that takes place within cells and converts nutrients into chemical energy in the form of ATP.
Processes for healthy cell life
Metabolism
Transportation
Energy production
Cell division
Factors influencing metabolic reactions
Temperature
Increased temperature results in increased kinetic energy of molecules, therefore increasing the reaction rate.
pH
Enzyme function outside of a certain pH range changes their structure, limiting their function, reducing the rate of metabolic reactions
Nutrient availability
Lack of nutrients impacts efficiency of reaction, increase in nutrients simulates rate of metabolic processes
Enzyme Availability
Enzymes are essential in living cells to enable efficient processing of the complex steps involved in the multiple metabolic pathways in a cell.
Chemical inhibitors
Prevent/block action of enzymes
Potential experiment ideas
The effect of caffeine on brain alertness
Alertness due to caffeine is a result of brain stimulation, as caffeine blocks the action of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep
The effect of electrolytes in sports drinks on athletes
The body loses electrolytes through sweat, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, and so a supply of electrolytes through sports drinks will fulfill the muscle cell requirements.
The effect of protein powder supplementation on mouse muscle growth through exercise.
Increased respiration leads to increased ATP which is needed by cells for protein synthesis. Without protein, muscles cannot be formed.
Inhibitors and their effect on aerobic respiration
Caffeine
Inhibits adenosine signaling, stimulates ATP production
Oxygen deprivation
Reducing the availability of oxygen for cellular respiration, leading to the switch to anaerobic respiration
Carbon Monoxide
Binds to haemoglobin, reducing the amount of
oxygen available for cellular respiration
Cyanide
Inhibits cytochrome c oxidase, a key component of the electron transport chain in aerobic respiration.
Nitric oxide
Inhibits mitochondrial respiration by reducing the availability of oxygen
Hydrogen Peroxide
Produces reactive oxygen species that can damage the cellular machinery involved in respiration