Metabolism

Metabolism is the sum of the chemical reactions occurring in living organisms that transform food into energy and raw materials necessary for the organism's physical form and function. It is composed of two types of reactions: catabolic reactions, which break down molecules and extract energy, and anabolic reactions, which synthesize molecules and consume energy. Metabolism is essential for sustaining life and maintaining health, providing energy for essential physiological processes, growth, development, and adaptive responses to the environment.