The organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for life; SYN. metabolic process, metastasis.
A term that encompasses all of the diverse reactions by which a cell processes food material to obtain energy and the compounds from which new cell components are made.
Continuous process of chemical change in cells, with assimilation of foodstuffs and release of energy.
The chemical processes of living organisms enabling them to grow and to function. It involves a constant alternation of building up (anabolism) and breaking down (catabolism). For example, green plants build up complex organic substances from water, carbon dioxide, and mineral salts (photosynthesis); by digestion animals partially break down complex organic substances, ingested as food, and subsequently resynthesize them for use in their own bodies. + prikaži više