Metabolism
Metabolism
“Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in living organisms to maintain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments” (Metabolism). Metabolism breaks down the food that we eat, transforming it into energy for our bodies. Metabolism is broken down into two categories Anabolism and Catabolism, which help aid in the chemical reaction process. Specific proteins in the body control the chemical reactions of metabolism, and each chemical reaction is coordinated with other body functions (Dowshen). Metabolism is a constant process that begins when we're born and ends when we die. It is a vital process for all life not just humans, and if it were to stop or we did not have metabolism we could not be alive.
Metabolism generally deals eating and our digestive system. After food is eaten, molecules in the digestive system called enzymes break proteins down into amino acids, fats into fatty acids, and carbohydrates into simple sugars (for example, glucose). In addition to sugar, both amino acids and fatty acids can be used as energy sources by the body when needed. These compounds are absorbed into the blood, which then transports them to our cells throughout the body. After they enter the cells, other enzymes act to speed up or regulate the chemical reactions involved with metabolizing these compounds. “During these processes, the energy from these compounds can be released for use by the body or stored in body tissues, especially the liver, muscles, and body fat. In this way, the process of metabolism is really a balancing act involving two kinds of activities that go on at the same time.”(Dowshen) These are the building up of body tissues and storing energy, then breaking down the body tissues and energy stored to generate more fuel for body function. These are the roles of Anabolism and Catabolism (Dowshen).
“Anabolism, also known as
“Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in living organisms to maintain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments” (Metabolism). Metabolism breaks down the food that we eat, transforming it into energy for our bodies. Metabolism is broken down into two categories Anabolism and Catabolism, which help aid in the chemical reaction process. Specific proteins in the body control the chemical reactions of metabolism, and each chemical reaction is coordinated with other body functions (Dowshen). Metabolism is a constant process that begins when we're born and ends when we die. It is a vital process for all life not just humans, and if it were to stop or we did not have metabolism we could not be alive.
Metabolism generally deals eating and our digestive system. After food is eaten, molecules in the digestive system called enzymes break proteins down into amino acids, fats into fatty acids, and carbohydrates into simple sugars (for example, glucose). In addition to sugar, both amino acids and fatty acids can be used as energy sources by the body when needed. These compounds are absorbed into the blood, which then transports them to our cells throughout the body. After they enter the cells, other enzymes act to speed up or regulate the chemical reactions involved with metabolizing these compounds. “During these processes, the energy from these compounds can be released for use by the body or stored in body tissues, especially the liver, muscles, and body fat. In this way, the process of metabolism is really a balancing act involving two kinds of activities that go on at the same time.”(Dowshen) These are the building up of body tissues and storing energy, then breaking down the body tissues and energy stored to generate more fuel for body function. These are the roles of Anabolism and Catabolism (Dowshen).
“Anabolism, also known as