What are outside raw materials used for by an organism?
Outside raw materials are used by organisms for two main purposes:
Energy for maintenance: The outside raw materials provide energy needed for maintenance processes that prevent damage and break-down of the body. This energy is used for various molecular movements needed for maintaining living structures.
Growth of the body: If the body size of the organism is to grow, additional raw materials are needed from outside. These materials are converted to the kind of molecules the body needs for growth. The raw materials need to be broken down or built up in the body through chemical reactions before they can be used.
Explanation
The textbook clearly states that outside raw materials serve two key functions: (1) providing energy for maintenance processes to prevent damage and breakdown, and (2) supplying additional material for body growth. The context mentions that 'If the body size of the organisms is to grow, additional raw material will also be needed from outside' and that energy is 'needed for the various molecular movements needed for maintaining living structures.' This is a fundamental concept in understanding life processes and nutrition.