me·tab·o·lism (m -t b  -lz m)n. 1. The chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life. In metabolism some substances are broken down to yield energy for vital processes while other substances, necessary for life, are synthesized. 2. The processing of a specific substance within the living body: water metabolism; iodine metabolism. [From Greek metabol  , change, from metaballein, to change : meta-, meta- + ballein, to throw; see gwel- in Indo-European roots.] |
metabolism [mɪˈtæbəˌlɪzəm]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) the sum total of the chemical processes that occur in living organisms, resulting in growth, production of energy, elimination of waste material, etc. See anabolism, basal metabolism, catabolism
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) the sum total of the chemical processes affecting a particular substance in the body carbohydrate metabolism iodine metabolism
[from Greek metabolē change, from metaballein to change, from meta- + ballein to throw]
metabolic [ˌmɛtəˈbɒlɪk] adj
metabolically adv
| metabolism (m-tb-lzm) The chemical processes by which cells produce the substances and energy needed to sustain life. As part of metabolism, organic compounds are broken down to provide heat and energy in the process called catabolism. Simpler molecules are also used to build more complex compounds like proteins for growth and repair of tissues as part of anabolism. Many metabolic processes are brought about by the action of enzymes. The overall speed at which an organism carries out its metabolic processes is termed its metabolic rate (or, when the organism is at rest, its basal metabolic rate). Birds, for example, have a high metabolic rate, since they are warm-blooded, and their usual method of locomotion, flight, requires large amounts of energy. Accordingly, birds usually need large amounts of high-quality, energy-rich foods such as seeds or meat, which they must eat frequently. See more at cellular respiration. metabolic adjective (m  t-b lk) |
metabolism
the chemical and physical processes in an organism by which protoplasm is produced, sustained, and then decomposed to make energy available. Also, Rare. metaboly. — metabolize, v.
See also: Change
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  metabolism - the marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animalsheterometabolism, heterometaboly - development of insects with incomplete metamorphosis in which no pupal stage precedes maturity holometabolism, holometaboly - complete metamorphosis in insects biological process, organic process - a process occurring in living organisms |
| 2. | metabolism - the organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for life organism, being - a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently cellular respiration, internal respiration, respiration - the metabolic processes whereby certain organisms obtain energy from organic molecules; processes that take place in the cells and tissues during which energy is released and carbon dioxide is produced and absorbed by the blood to be transported to the lungs anabolism, constructive metabolism - the synthesis in living organisms of more complex substances (e.g., living tissue) from simpler ones together with the storage of energy basal metabolism - the amount of energy required to maintain the body of an individual in a resting state catabolism, destructive metabolism, katabolism, dissimilation - breakdown in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones together with release of energy fat metabolism - a metabolic process that breaks down ingested fats into fatty acids and glycerol and then into simpler compounds that can be used by cells of the body glycolysis - a metabolic process that breaks down carbohydrates and sugars through a series of reactions to either pyruvic acid or lactic acid and releases energy for the body in the form of ATP citric acid cycle, Krebs citric acid cycle, Krebs cycle, tricarboxylic acid cycle - in all plants and animals: a series of enzymatic reactions in mitochondria involving oxidative metabolism of acetyl compounds to produce high-energy phosphate compounds that are the source of cellular energy biological process, organic process - a process occurring in living organisms |
Translations
metabolism
n → Stoffwechsel m, → Metabolismus m
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