What is simple definition for metabolism?
Simple definition of metabolism can be said as: All energy and material transformations that occur within living cells or the sum of all physical and chemical change that take place within an organism. This includes material changes (i.e., changes undergone by substances during all periods of life, such as growth, maturity, and senescence) and energy changes (i.e., all transformations of chemical energy of foodstuffs to mechanical energy or heat). Metabolism involves two fundamental processes: anabolism (assimilation or building-up processes) and catabolism (disintegration or tearing-down processes). Anabolism is the conversion of food molecules into living cells and tissue; catabolism is the breakdown of complex chemicals into simpler ones, often producing waste products to be excreted. Catabolism also includes cell respiration for the formation of ATP and release of heat energy.
