metabolism
Biology, Physiology. the sum of the physical and chemical processes in an organism by which its material substance is produced, maintained, and destroyed, and by which energy is made available.: Compare anabolism, catabolism.
any basic process of organic functioning or operating: changes in the country's economic metabolism.
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Origin of metabolism
1Other words from metabolism
- hy·per·me·tab·o·lism, noun
Words Nearby metabolism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use metabolism in a sentence
Extended time sitting and not moving around leads to changes in the body’s metabolism.
Healthy screen time is one challenge of distance learning | Kathryn Hulick | September 11, 2020 | Science News For StudentsIt shows that energy metabolism is probably more flexible than previously appreciated.
By Losing Genes, Life Often Evolved More Complexity | Viviane Callier | September 1, 2020 | Quanta MagazineSome of the new work’s estimates of the geographic distribution of aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms, for instance, don’t entirely align with previous findings, he says.
‘Zombie’ Microbes Redefine Life’s Energy Limits | Jordana Cepelewicz | August 12, 2020 | Quanta MagazineThose looking to understand the fundamental purpose of sleep rarely seek answers in metabolism or other chemical processes.
Their findings dovetail with a stream of previous reports that have linked oxidation and insufficient sleep, in particular those of Everson, who grew interested in metabolism while in Rechtschaffen’s lab.
And, according to some research, higher insulin levels have been shown to suppress fat metabolism by up to 22 percent.
Now, sure, our metabolism slows as we grow older, but you can keep the weight off by eating right.
Bruce Springsteen’s Bond Moment: The Boss’ Body Beautiful at 64 | Tim Teeman | July 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTCool OffIn addition to freshening up your face and body, showers can help stimulate the circulatory system and metabolism.
Codeine should not have been prescribed for these patients because its metabolism in children varies widely from person to person.
Codeine Still Widely Prescribed to Kids Despite Decades-Old Warnings | Russell Saunders | April 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBecause of the wide variability in codeine metabolism, its use as a cough suppressant is not recommended.
Codeine Still Widely Prescribed to Kids Despite Decades-Old Warnings | Russell Saunders | April 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt is the principal waste-product of metabolism, and constitutes about one-half of all the solids excreted—about 30 gm.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddOther factors being equal, the amount of urea indicates the activity of metabolism.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddIn disease, the amount of solids depends mainly upon the activity of metabolism and the ability of the kidneys to excrete.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddLeading physiologists quite generally agree that phosphorus in the form of glycerophosphates influences metabolism very little.
There is no proof that the hypophosphites enter into general metabolism or affect disease processes in any way.
British Dictionary definitions for metabolism
/ (mɪˈtæbəˌlɪzəm) /
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
the sum total of the chemical processes affecting a particular substance in the body: carbohydrate metabolism; iodine metabolism
Origin of metabolism
1Derived forms of metabolism
- metabolic (ˌmɛtəˈbɒlɪk), adjective
- metabolically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for metabolism
[ mĭ-tăb′ə-lĭz′əm ]
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.
Other words from metabolism
- metabolic adjective (mĕt′ə-bŏl′ĭk)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for metabolism
[ (muh-tab-uh-liz-uhm) ]
The total of the chemical reactions that maintain the life of a living thing.
Notes for metabolism
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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