Metabolism

Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. It is a series of chemical reactions that occur within your cells to keep your body functioning. Essentially, metabolism is responsible for keeping you alive and functioning.

What does it mean?

Metabolism is the sum total of all the chemical processes in your body that break down the food you eat and convert it into energy. This energy is used to power every single process in your body, from breathing and digestion to movement and cognition.

Examples of Metabolism in Action

Examples of metabolism in action include:

• Converting carbohydrates into glucose, which is used for energy
• Breaking down proteins into amino acids, which are used for building new cells and tissues
• Metabolizing fats into fatty acids and glycerol, which can be used as an energy source

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for metabolism include metabolic rate and metabolic function. There are no direct antonyms for metabolism.

Related Terms and Confused Terms

Related terms include anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism is the process by which your body builds new tissues and molecules, while catabolism is the process by which your body breaks down tissues and molecules. Metabolism encompasses both anabolism and catabolism. A commonly confused term is metabolism boosters, which are supplements and foods that claim to increase your metabolism, but are not scientifically proven to do so.