Metabolism is the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms. Its three main functions are to convert food into energy, transform food into building blocks, and eliminate waste.
Metabolism's Core Functions
Metabolism plays a vital role in keeping organisms alive and functioning properly. It has three key functions:
- Energy Conversion: Metabolism converts the energy stored in food into a form that cells can use to power various processes.
- Building Blocks: Metabolism transforms food into essential building blocks like amino acids (for proteins), lipids (for fats), nucleic acids (for DNA and RNA), and some carbohydrates.
- Waste Elimination: Metabolism eliminates metabolic waste products that are produced during these chemical reactions, ensuring they don't accumulate and harm the organism.
These functions, as highlighted in the reference material, are essential for growth, repair, and maintaining life.
