Video title: Sloth vs cheetah

Sloth vs cheetah

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What would you rather be a cheetah or a sloth?

Sloths are not very active creatures.

They move incredibly slowly and sleep for most of the day.

Whereas cheetahs are the fastest animals on four legs.

These animals have very different lifestyles.

They require different amounts of energy to live.

energy

Like all animals, both the sloth and the cheetah get their energy from the food they eat.

Sloths only eat leaves.

The leaves contain carbohydrates, but not enough to provide much energy...

carbohydrates

So sloths don't move very fast.

Whereas cheetahs eat meat.

Meat contains carbohydrates, and fats and proteins.

fats and proteins

Meat provides lots of energy, so cheetahs can run at great speeds.

But even if they haven't recently had a meal, cheetahs can still chase down prey.

How?

All animals, cheetahs, sloths and humans too, store energy as fat and carbohydrates.

This stored energy is a form of potential energy, as it has not yet been used.

potential energy
stored energy


When we exercise, our bodies convert this stored energy into sugars, such as glucose.

glucose

Our muscles convert this stored energy into movement.

It's glucose that gives us the energy to run and play.

So whether you're a top athlete, like the cheetah...

Or a sleeping beauty like the sloth, your diet will determine how energetic you are.

protein
fat
carbohydrates
potential energy
The sloth and the cheetah have different energy needs. This is reflected in their diet.

Learning points

  • Stored energy is a type of potential energy.
  • All animals store the energy they get from food.
  • Muscles convert potential energy from food into movement.

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