The news has recently spread across the country: the state corporation Rosnano is investing 710 million rubles in the production of innovative drugs against age-related diseases. We are talking about the so-called "Skulachev ions" - a fundamental development of domestic scientists. It will help to cope with the aging of cells, which causes oxygen.
"How so? – you will be surprised. “It is impossible to live without oxygen, and you claim that it accelerates aging!” In fact, there is no contradiction here. The engine of aging is reactive oxygen species, which are already formed inside our cells.
Energy source
Few people know that pure oxygen is dangerous. It is used in small doses in medicine, but if you breathe it for a long time, you can get poisoned. Laboratory mice and hamsters, for example, live in it for only a few days. The air we breathe contains about 20% oxygen.
Why do so many living beings, including humans, need a small amount of this dangerous gas? The fact is that O2 is the most powerful oxidizing agent; almost no substance can resist it. And we all need energy to live. So, we (as well as all animals, fungi and even most bacteria) can get it by oxidizing certain nutrients. Literally burning them like firewood in a fireplace insert.
This process takes place in every cell of our body, where there are special "energy stations" for it - mitochondria. This is where everything that we ate (of course, digested and decomposed to the simplest molecules) ultimately ends up. And it is inside the mitochondria that oxygen does the only thing it can do - it oxidizes.
This method of obtaining energy (it is called aerobic) is very beneficial. For example, some living beings are able to receive energy without being oxidized by oxygen. Only now, thanks to this gas, several times more energy is obtained from the same molecule than without it!
Hidden catch
Of the 140 liters of oxygen that we breathe in a day from the air, almost all goes to energy. Almost - but not all. Approximately 1% is spent on the production of ... poison. The fact is that during the useful activity of oxygen, dangerous substances, the so-called "reactive oxygen species", are also formed. These are free radicals and hydrogen peroxide.
Why did nature want to produce this poison at all? Some time ago, scientists found an explanation for this. Free radicals and hydrogen peroxide, with the help of a special protein-enzyme, are formed on the outer surface of cells, with their help our body destroys bacteria that have entered the bloodstream. Very reasonable, considering that the hydroxide radical rivals bleach in its toxicity.
However, not all poison is outside the cells. It is also formed in those very “energy stations”, mitochondria. They also have their own DNA, which is damaged by reactive oxygen species. Then everything is clear and so: the work of energy stations goes wrong, DNA is damaged, aging begins ...
Unsteady balance
Fortunately, nature took care to neutralize reactive oxygen species. Over billions of years of oxygen life, our cells have basically learned to keep O2 in check. Firstly, it should not be too much or too little - both provoke the formation of poison. Therefore, mitochondria are able to “expel” excess oxygen, as well as “breathe” so that it cannot form those very free radicals. Moreover, in the arsenal of our body there are substances that fight well with free radicals. For example, antioxidant enzymes that turn them into more harmless hydrogen peroxide and just oxygen. Other enzymes immediately take the hydrogen peroxide into circulation, turning it into water.
All this multi-stage protection works well, but over time it starts to falter. At first, scientists thought that over the years, the protective enzymes against reactive oxygen species weakened. It turned out, no, they are still alert and active, however, according to the laws of physics, some free radicals still bypass the multi-stage protection and begin to destroy DNA.
Can you support your natural defenses against toxic radicals? Yes, you can. After all, the longer certain animals live on average, the better their protection is honed. The more intense the metabolism of a particular species, the more effectively its representatives cope with free radicals. Accordingly, the first help to yourself from the inside is to lead an active lifestyle, not allowing the metabolism to slow down with age.
We train youth
There are several other circumstances that help our cells cope with toxic oxygen derivatives. For example, a trip to the mountains (1500 m and higher above sea level). The higher, the less oxygen in the air, and the inhabitants of the plain, once in the mountains, begin to breathe more often, it is difficult for them to move - the body tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen. After two weeks of living in the mountains, our body begins to adapt. The level of hemoglobin (a blood protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to all tissues) rises, and cells learn to use O2 more economically. Perhaps, scientists say, this is one of the reasons why there are many centenarians among the highlanders of the Himalayas, Pamirs, Tibet, and the Caucasus. And even if you only get to the mountains for a holiday once a year, you will get the same beneficial changes, even if only for a month.
So, you can learn to inhale a lot of oxygen or, on the contrary, not enough, there are a lot of breathing techniques in both directions. However, by and large, the body will still maintain the amount of oxygen entering the cell at a certain average, optimal level for itself and its load. And that same 1% will go to the production of poison.
Therefore, scientists believe that it will be more effective to go from the other side. Leave alone the amount of O2 and enhance cellular protection against its active forms. We need antioxidants, and those that can penetrate into the mitochondria and neutralize the poison there. Just such and wants to produce "Rosnano". Perhaps in a few years, such antioxidants can be taken, like the current vitamins A, E and C.
Rejuvenating drops
The list of modern antioxidants is no longer limited to the vitamins A, E and C listed. molecular biologists, Director of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Biology named after V.I. A. N. Belozersky Moscow State University, laureate of the State Prize of the USSR, founder and dean of the Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics of Moscow State University Vladimir Skulachev.
Back in the 70s of the twentieth century, he brilliantly proved the theory that mitochondria are the "power plants" of cells. For this, positively charged particles (“Skulachev ions”) were invented, which can penetrate into the mitochondria. Now Academician Skulachev and his students have "hooked" an antioxidant substance to these ions, which is able to "deal" with toxic oxygen compounds.
At the first stage, these will not be “pills for old age”, but drugs for the treatment of specific diseases. First in line are eye drops to treat some age-related vision problems. Similar drugs have already given absolutely fantastic results when tested on animals. Depending on the species, new antioxidants could reduce early mortality, increase life expectancy, and prolong maximum age—enticing prospects!
You probably know that breathing is necessary so that the oxygen necessary for life enters the body with inhaled air, and when exhaled, the body releases carbon dioxide.
All living things breathe - animals, birds, and plants.
And why do living organisms need oxygen so much that life is impossible without it? And where does carbon dioxide come from in the cells, from which the body needs to constantly be released?
The fact is that each cell of a living organism is a small but very active biochemical production. And you know that no production is possible without energy. All processes that take place in cells and tissues proceed with the consumption of a large amount of energy.
Where does it come from?
With the food we eat - from carbohydrates, fats and proteins. In cells, these substances are oxidized. Most often, the chain of transformations of complex substances leads to the formation of a universal energy source - glucose. As a result of the oxidation of glucose, energy is released. This is where oxygen is needed for oxidation. The energy that is released as a result of these reactions, the cell stores in the form of special high-energy molecules - they, like batteries, or accumulators, give energy as needed. And the end product of the oxidation of nutrients is water and carbon dioxide, which are removed from the body: from the cells it enters the blood, which carries carbon dioxide to the lungs, and there it is excreted during exhalation. In one hour, a person releases from 5 to 18 liters of carbon dioxide and up to 50 grams of water through the lungs.
By the way...
High-energy molecules that are "fuel" for biochemical processes are called ATP - adenosine triphosphoric acid. In humans, the lifespan of one ATP molecule is less than 1 minute. The human body synthesizes about 40 kg of ATP per day, but at the same time all of it is spent almost immediately, and there is practically no ATP reserve in the body. For normal life, it is necessary to constantly synthesize new ATP molecules. That is why, without oxygen, a living organism can live for a maximum of a few minutes.
Are there living organisms that do not need oxygen?
Each of us is familiar with the processes of anaerobic respiration! So, the fermentation of dough or kvass is an example of an anaerobic process carried out by yeast: they oxidize glucose to ethanol (alcohol); the process of souring milk is the result of the work of lactic acid bacteria that carry out lactic acid fermentation - they convert the milk sugar lactose into lactic acid.
Why do we need oxygen respiration, if there is oxygen-free?
Then, that aerobic oxidation is many times more efficient than anaerobic. Compare: in the process of anaerobic breakdown of one glucose molecule, only 2 ATP molecules are formed, and as a result of the aerobic breakdown of a glucose molecule, 38 ATP molecules are formed! For complex organisms with a high rate and intensity of metabolic processes, anaerobic respiration is simply not enough to sustain life - so an electronic toy that requires 3-4 batteries to work simply will not turn on if only one battery is inserted into it.
Is oxygen-free respiration possible in the cells of the human body?
Certainly! The first step in the breakdown of the glucose molecule, called glycolysis, takes place without the presence of oxygen. Glycolysis is a process common to almost all living organisms. Glycolysis produces pyruvic acid (pyruvate). It is she who sets off on the path of further transformations, leading to the synthesis of ATP both with oxygen and oxygen-free respiration.
So, in muscles, ATP reserves are very small - they are only enough for 1-2 seconds of muscle work. If a muscle needs short-term, but vigorous activity, anaerobic respiration is the first to be mobilized in it - it is activated faster and provides energy for about 90 seconds of active muscle work. If the muscle is actively working for more than two minutes, then aerobic respiration is connected: with it, ATP production occurs slowly, but it gives enough energy to maintain physical activity for a long time (up to several hours).
As it turned out, red blood cells, and in particular Hemoglobin, bring oxygen to the cells of the body.
Why does a cell need oxygen?
Oxygen
Features of the structure of the O molecule Atmospheric oxygen consists of diatomic molecules, in each O molecule there are 2 unpaired electrons.
Energy dissociation of the O molecule into atoms is quite high and is 493.57 kJ / mol.
The high strength of the chemical bond between the atoms in the O molecule leads to the fact that, at room temperature, gaseous oxygen is rather inactive chemically. In nature, it slowly enters into transformations during the processes of decay. When heated, even a little, the chemical activity of oxygen increases dramatically. When ignited, it reacts with an explosion with hydrogen, methane, other combustible gases, with a large number of simple and complex substances.
Why does a cell need energy?
Every living cell must constantly produce energy. She needs energy to generate heat and synthesize ( create) some vital chemicals, such as proteins or hereditary substance. Energy is needed by the cell, and in order to move.Body cells capable of making movements are called muscle cells. They may shrink. This sets in motion our arms, legs, heart, intestines. Finally, energy is needed to work out electricity : thanks to him, some parts of the body communicate with others. And the connection between them is primarily provided by nerve cells.
How does a cell get energy?
Cells burn nutrients, and in doing so, a certain amount of energy is released.They can do this in two ways.
First, burn carbohydrates, mainly glucose, in lack of oxygen.
it is the oldest form of energy extraction and is very ineffective. Remember that life originated in water, that is, in an environment where there was very little oxygen.
Secondly, body cellsburn pyruvic acid, fats and proteins in the presence of oxygen.All of these substances contain carbon and hydrogen.Combustion of hydrogen in pure oxygenhighlights a large number of energy
Remember TV reports from spaceports about rocket launches? They soar up due to the incredible amount of energy released during ... the oxidation of hydrogen, that is, when it is burned in oxygen.Space rockets as high as a tower rush into the sky due to the enormous energy that is released when hydrogen is burned in pure oxygen.Their fuel tanks are filled with liquid hydrogen and oxygen. When the engines are started, the hydrogen begins to oxidize and the huge rocket is rapidly carried away into the sky. Maybe it seems incredible, but still: the same energy that takes a space rocket up, also maintains life in the cells of our body.This same energy sustains life in the cells of our body.Unless there is no explosion in the cells and a sheaf of flame does not break out of them. Oxidation takes place in stages, and therefore, instead of thermal and kinetic energy, ATP molecules are formed.
1. In unicellular organisms, the cell performs all the functions inherent in any living organism. Name these functions. 2. Life in a multicellular organism The world of living organisms is diverse. However, representatives of various kingdoms of the organic world have common properties. Choose signs,characteristic: A - for plants; B - animals; B - all living
organisms:
1 - have a cellular structure;
2 - feed on ready-made organic substances;
3 - create organic substances in the process of photosynthesis;
4 - when breathing, they absorb oxygen and emit carbon dioxide;
5 - consist of inorganic and organic substances;
6 - cells contain plastids and vacuoles with cell sap;
7 - capable of metabolism and energy;
8 - most are practically motionless;
9 - capable of active movement;
10 - adapted to the conditions environment:
11 - the end product of metabolism is urea;
12 - the plasma membrane is covered with a cellulose cell wall;
13 - characteristically limited growth;
14 - cells contain a cell center and small vacuoles without cell sap.
education). Coal _______________ (what living organisms took part in its formation) \u003d)))
The cause of the death of living organisms can be: other living organisms, diseases, lack of food, unfavorable living conditions. Is it possible to attributeThe importance of air for plant and human life.
Air is a mixture of various gases. Oxygen contains a lot of nitrogen and oxygen. The most interesting thing is that life on the planet is impossible without these components. This is due to the fact that these chemicals contribute to the flow of various reactions in the body. Without them, metabolism is impossible.
What is the importance of air, oxygen for human life, plants and all living organisms?
This gas is involved in metabolic processes. Thanks to this gas, all living organisms breathe. This applies to both people and plants. Besides. when air is inhaled, the process of glucose oxidation occurs in the body of animals and humans. During this chemical reaction, energy is released.
Without energy, in turn, it is not possible to carry out movement.
How long can a healthy person, a human brain live without air, oxygen?
The values are ambiguous. It depends on physical health and training. In general, an average person can stay without air for 4-9 minutes on average. If you take into account being under water, then the average visitor to the beach can be under water for 30-80 seconds. And the girls who extract pearls from the water can live without air for 5 minutes. The fact is that without oxygen, energy production stops and the heart stops. Without oxygen, brain cells die.
Now developed many ways to extend the breathless period. These techniques are practiced by yogis and famous divers.
Why does carbon dioxide accumulate in the blood when holding the breath?
This occurs as a result of metabolic processes, and more precisely during the oxidation of glucose. The interaction of glucose and oxygen produces water and carbon dioxide, which accumulates in the body.
How much air, oxygen does a person need per hour, per day?
For every person it different numbers. The amount also depends on the load.
Approximate air consumption data per minute:
- Sitting and resting position 6 l
- Light exercise 20 l
- Fitness, cardio training 60 l
That is, for the day the values \u200b\u200bwill be:
- 864 liters at rest
- 28800 liters at light load
- 86400 liters during heavy loads
Required volume of air, oxygen per person in the room: value
These numbers are guided by the design of ventilation.
The average value is in the range of 30-60 cubic meters of air per hour in the room.
What is the record for holding a person's breath underwater?
Listed in the Guinness Book of Records Tom Sitas. This is a freediver whose lung capacity is 20% larger than ordinary person. His record was 22 minutes and 22 seconds. Breath-holding took place underwater. Before the record, the diver breathed oxygen from a cylinder and did not eat for 5 hours.
Breath holding training: exercises
There are several ways to practice holding your breath.
Exercises:
- Walking count. In fact, at the very beginning of the workout, there is no need to hold your breath. It is necessary to inhale after 10 steps and exhale after 10 steps. Over time, you can insert breath holding intervals with inhalation and exhalation.
- Yoga. Almost all yoga exercises are aimed at increasing lung capacity. You need to practice yoga more often.
- Rinsing. As paradoxical as it sounds, this exercise is often used in belly dancing. You need to take a deep breath and then exhale. After that, breath holding and jerky movements of the abdomen are carried out.
- Dog breath. It is necessary to breathe like dogs from time to time during the day. That is, to carry out frequent and short breaths and exhalations.
Air is the basis of life. Without it, the existence of people and other living organisms is impossible.
VIDEO: Holding your breath