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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Oct 1.
Published in final edited form as: Prog Neurobiol. 2015 Nov 18;157:273–291. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.10.005

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Energy and mass: from Einstein equation to energy metabolism. Einstein’s famous equation reveals the interchangeable relationship of mass and energy. The significance of Einstein’s formula is even beyond physics. In biology, conversion between mass and energy are fundamental processes defined as metabolism. Through anabolism, complex compounds are biosynthesized from simpler molecules with the energy expense provided by ATP hydrolysis. Through catabolism, complex nutrients are broken down to simpler oxidized compounds with an energy releasing process coupled to ATP production. Life is the interplay between energy and structure. As the metabolism goes on, the life goes on. E: energy. M: mass. C: speed of light.