Metabolism at the Molecular Level

A tennis player thinks that he can exercise as long as he eats different types of food because his body just needs different types of food molecules to work properly. Is he correct?

• Yes, his cells only work when they have molecules from different types of food.

• No, his muscles do not need molecules from food because all cells make all the molecules they need.

• No, all cells need molecules from food and molecules from air to work properly.

• No, only his stomach cells need food molecules to work properly.

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Jennifer has been chewing and swallowing her food, but her digestive system is not doing what it usually does. Why is this a problem for her ability to exercise?

• Her cells will not work well because molecules from her food are not being broken down small enough to get to her cells.

• Her body will run out of energy because molecules from the air are not being combined into larger molecules for the cells.

• Her respiratory system will have to work twice as hard to break down molecules from food.

• Her cells will not work well because the molecules from food will be too small for cells to use.

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Researchers tested a patient to find out what molecules were in her cells. Her cells contained normal levels of amino acids, normal levels of oxygen molecules, and low levels of glucose molecules. Will this patient be able to exercise normally?

• Yes, her cells just need to combine amino acids to release energy.

• No, her cells need to combine glucose into starch molecules to release energy.

• No, her cells need glucose to react with oxygen to release energy.

• Yes, her cells just need oxygen to release energy.

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An researcher plans to spend several days underwater in a submarine. Doctors on land will monitor her body to make sure she is healthy during her trip. What is one way doctors will be able to tell whether her body is healthy enough to do all her tasks while she is in the submarine?

• The doctors could see if her cells are getting several different types of food molecules.

• The doctors could see if she is getting plenty of sleep so her body can make enough energy.

• The doctors could see if her lung cells have molecules from air, and her stomach cells have molecules from food.

• The doctors could see if her cells are getting the molecules they need from food and air.

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Compare the glucose molecule levels in the mouth for R. Frost and A. Kim. What differences do you observe?

• R. Frost has higher glucose levels than A. Kim.

• A. Kim has higher glucose levels than R. Frost.

• Both have the same glucose levels.

• Glucose levels cannot be compared.

The tables on the previous page show information about the body systems of three different patients. Which of these patients’ bodies are NOT working well enough to exercise normally?

• R. Frost only

• V. Mistry only

• R. Frost and A. Kim

• A. Kim and V. Mistry

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Raymond has been eating healthy foods, but his digestive system is not doing what it usually does. Can he still exercise normally?

• Yes, as long as he can still breathe, his cells will have all the molecules they need to release energy.

• No, his digestive system is not breaking down oxygen into molecules small enough to get inside his cells.

• No, molecules from food are not combining together to be large enough for his cells to use.

• No, molecules from food are not getting broken down small enough to get inside his cells.

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If Liam is breathing normally, which of the following could prevent him from using his body to exercise normally?

• not getting enough sunlight, because cells need sunlight to function

• not getting enough sleep, because the body only makes energy for exercise while asleep

• not eating enough food, because cells need molecules from both food and air to work

• nothing, because he would be able to exercise normally as long as his cells are getting molecules from the air

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Michael went to the doctors for a physical exam. Doctors tested a sample from Michael to find out what molecules were in his cells. His cells contained normal levels of glucose molecules and amino acid molecules, and low levels of oxygen molecules. Will this patient be able to exercise normally?

• Yes, his body is working properly enough to exercise.

• No, his digestive system is not breaking down food molecules; his cells need starch molecules to react with glucose, which releases energy.

• No, his body systems are working, but he needs to eat different food; only proteins can react with glucose to release energy.

• No, his respiratory system is not working; his cells need oxygen to react with glucose, which releases energy.

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Rico, a scuba diver, uses breathing gear to help him breathe air underwater. He always gets enough sleep and eats a good breakfast before a dive. What could happen if his breathing gear broke during a dive and he could not breathe as much air as usual?

• It would be difficult to swim, because his cells cannot work without molecules from air.

• It would not affect him because his cells are getting the different types of molecules they need from food to work properly.

• It would not affect him as long as he slept enough.

• It would not affect him because his body can function normally even if his cells do not have molecules from air.

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