Energy transformations in the whole body

The most familiar contact with energy in everyday life is throngh eating and, becanse we eat intermittently, some of the energy is stored to provide for short or long periods of starvation and/or physical activity. Consequently, the first topic in this section presents the amonnt of the different fnels stored in the body. 

A fuel is a compound for which some of its chemical energy can be transformed into other forms when a chemi- 

Fuel store Approximate total fuel reserve Estimated period for which fuel store would provide energy  

Adipose tissue triacylglycerol 12000 450 15 Several days 70 days  

The size of fuel reserves, especially triacylglycerol, varies considerably in both male and female adults. It is assumed that the amount of adipose tissue in a 70 kg male is 15 kg, of which 75% is triacylglycerol. Data from Cahill (1970) Wahren (1979). 

---