Synonyms
Definition
The word metabolism is derived from Greek and means “change.” It involves all chemical reactions or changes in a living organism. In simple terms, “metabolism is the chemistry of life” (Bing 1971). Due to the importance of metabolic processes to life, the processes have been highly conserved throughout evolution.
Description
Metabolism consists of multiple processes resulting in the breakdown and formation of molecules that sustain life. Metabolic processes are complex and can be influenced by internal and external factors. These processes are highly regulated and aim to maintain physiological balance or homeostasis in the face of a constantly changing environment. There are two types of metabolic reactions: anabolic and catabolic. These processes work hand in hand, although one may predominate depending on physiological or pathological state. Anabolic reactions predominate at times of high substrate availability and involve transformations of...
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References and Further Reading
Berg, J. M., Tymoczko, J. L., & Stryer, L. (2012). Biochemistry. Basingstoke: WH Freeman and Company.
Bing, F. C. (1971). The history of the word “metabolism”. Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences, 26(2), 158–180.
Brody, T. (1999). Nutritional biochemistry (electronic resource). San Diego: Academic.
Brownie, A. C., & Kernohan, J. C. (2005). Medical biochemistry: A core text with self-assessment. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Dominiczak, M. H. (2007). Flesh and bones of metabolism. Edinburgh: Elsevier Mosby.
King, M. (2011). The medical biochemistry page. Retrieved 3 Mar 2011, from http://www.themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/.
Krebs, H. A. S., & Roberts, M. B. V. (1973). The citric acid cycle. A further analysis of metabolism and its implications slide. London: Audio-Learning.
Molina, P. E. (2004). Endocrine physiology. New York: McGraw-Hill.
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Leong, W.B., Taheri, S., Stone, A.M., Thomas, G.N. (2018). Metabolism. In: Gellman, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_472-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_472-2
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