What Do Living Things Need Energy For?

Living things need energy for several important processes that are vital to life. One of the most important is the growth and repair of cells and tissues - energy is required for the various biochemical reactions that achieve this.

Energy is also needed to actively transport molecules through cell walls to make sure that nutrients and other molecules get to where they are needed. Active transport takes place against a diffusion gradient and the use of energy allows organisms to control their internal environment more efficiently.

Living things also need energy to move - all organisms use movement even plants that don't appear to. Their chromosomes move during cell division and that, like all movement, requires energy.

Energy is also required for temperature control in warm blooded animals. Endotherms use large amounts of heat energy to keep their body temperature constant.

A few organisms use energy to produce light - like fireflies or to produce electricity - such as electric eels.

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Living things need energy for growth and to repair cells and tissuse.

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