How are new atoms formed?

Answer

Hi Rob,

since you speak of “cell”, i suspect you are talking about cells in a biological sense, ie. the cells of living organisms.

The answer to your question is quite simple: no new matter is created in cells! What does happen is that there is transport of matter across the membrane (which encloses each cell). For example, a cell takes in glucose as a source of nutrition, but also oxygen gas, salts, hormones and so on. Inside the cell, these molecules are further processed into other molecules. In other words, the molecules are not formed from nothing, but from other molecules. In this way no new atoms are made, they always end up from one molecule to the other.

That also means that it is possible that you are currently carrying atoms within you that were part of a dinosaur millions of years ago!

To find out how atoms are formed, you can simply type “formation atoms” in the search box on this website. You will find questions and answers from scientists (physicists) who know much more about it than I do!

Regards,

Benjamin