Study sheds light on powerful process that turns food into energy

The way in which our cells convert food into fuel is shared by almost all living things -- now scientists have discovered a likely reason why this is so widespread.

Researchers examined how cells make energy from food, by digesting simple sugars such as glucose in a series of chemical reactions. This process is almost the same for every kind of cell, including animals, plants, and bacteria.

Their new study shows that this process is the most effective method to extract energy. Cells that have more energy can grow and renew faster, giving them -- and the organism to which they belong -- an evolutionary advantage.

Scientists from the University of Edinburgh built complex computer models to better understand why cells developed the pathways they use to convert sugar into energy. They compared models of pathways found in animals and plants with alternative mechanisms that might have evolved instead.