Chemical and thermodynamic properties of Bombyx mori (domestic silk moth): Empirical formula, driving force, and biosynthesis, catabolism and metabolism reactions

Abstract

Biothermodynamics is a discipline which has developed intensely during the last 50 years. Thermodynamic properties have been reported for humans, animals, plants and microorganisms. However, this paper reports for the first time the empirical formula and thermodynamic properties for insects. Thermodynamic properties can be applied in research on thermodynamic interactions between organisms and their environment, as well as between organisms themselves. This paper reports for the first time the empirical formula and reactions of catabolism, biosynthesis and entire metabolism are formulated for Bombyx mori (domestic silk moth), as well as the thermodynamic properties of B. mori. It is shown that growth of B. mori is tightly related to catabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, which represents the driving force for the entire metabolism.