What does the term "metabolism" refer to?

The term "metabolism" encompasses the biochemical processes that maintain life within an organism. It refers to all the chemical reactions that take place in the body, which are essential for adequate functioning and survival. These processes include both catabolism, the breakdown of molecules to obtain energy, and anabolism, the synthesis of all compounds needed for cellular growth and repair.

Therefore, metabolism is not limited solely to digestion or the breakdown of food into nutrients but is a much broader concept that includes the entirety of biochemical activity that sustains life. While the production of energy in the brain is a part of metabolic processes, it is just one aspect of the overall metabolic function that involves multiple systems and pathways throughout the body. Understanding metabolism is crucial in fields like biomedicine, as it informs how organisms utilize energy from nutrients and regulate bodily functions.