METABOLISM Meaning and
Definition
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Metabolism refers to the complex set of chemical processes that occur within an organism to maintain life. It encompasses all the vital biochemical reactions involved in converting nutrients into energy, building and repairing cells and tissues, and eliminating waste products. The process of metabolism is crucial for the growth, development, and maintenance of the body.
Metabolism involves two main processes: anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism refers to the constructive metabolic reactions that build molecules and promote growth and repair. It includes processes like protein synthesis, DNA replication, and the formation of complex molecules from simpler ones. Catabolism, on the other hand, involves the breakdown of molecules to release energy. This process serves to provide the fuel needed for the organism to function and is responsible for the breakdown of food into its constituent components.
The rate of metabolism varies from person to person and can be influenced by factors like age, gender, genetics, and body composition. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the measure of the minimum amount of energy required to sustain basic bodily functions at rest. It is influenced by factors such as body size, muscle mass, age, and hormonal levels.
Understanding metabolism is important in various fields such as medicine, nutrition, and exercise physiology. It helps in diagnosing metabolic disorders, designing therapeutic interventions, and optimizing nutrition and fitness plans. Overall, metabolism plays a fundamental role in maintaining life and ensuring the proper functioning of organisms.
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Tissue-change, the sum of the chemical changes whereby the function of nutrition is effected; it consists of anabolism, or the constructive or assimilative changes, and catabolism, or the destructive or retrograde changes.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of METABOLISM
The word "metabolism" is derived from the ancient Greek word "metabolē", which means "change" or "transformation". It stems from the verb "metaballein", meaning "to change" or "to alter". The suffix "-ism" is added to indicate a condition or process. Therefore, "metabolism" refers to the process of transforming or changing substances within an organism's body to maintain life and sustain its functions.
Similar spelling words for METABOLISM
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