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What Is the Concept of Metabolism?

Living organisms rely on certain processes to provide the energy and nutrients needed to sustain life. The ability to ingest food materials and convert them into useable forms are the processes that support life, growth and the perpetuation of a species. The concept of metabolism addresses these life-sustaining functions within cells, plants and bodies.

  1. Living Organisms

    • Living organisms, from the smallest to the largest, require a continuous stream of energy to carry out necessary life functions, according to Science Clarified. To produce this energy supply, certain materials must be made available for use. Part of this process requires that energy be harnessed in a specialized form that's readily available. This system enables a cell, plant or body to survive within a changing environment that places various demands on the organism. The concept of metabolism encompasses an organism's ability to sustain life through the chemical processes that convert food into useable energy.

    Function

    • The concept of metabolism involves both destructive and constructive processes, known as catabolism and anabolism, according to Science Clarified. The size and composition of food materials make them unsuitable for use by a living organism. Catabolism makes up one stage of metabolism, in which food materials are broken down and converted into a metabolic pool of nutrients. According to Kimball's Biology Pages, this pool is made up of sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, nucleic acids and glycerol. Anabolic processes then draw from this metabolic pool to rebuild bodily structures and sustain the chemical activities that support life within cells and tissues.

    Plant Metabolism

    • According to Kimball's Biology Pages, plant metabolism processes are unique in that they produce their own food materials. Because of this ability to produce their own food, plants are considered autotroph organisms. Food is produced through a process called photosynthesis that converts light, water and carbon dioxide into glucose materials. This glucose is then used as energy to carry out the processes that support plant health and growth. In effect, the concept of metabolism remains the same in plants, though the actual stages (catabolism-anabolism) take place in a different order.

    Animal Metabolism

    • Animals, humans and most aquatic organisms fall under the heterotroph classification since they're unable to manufacture their own food materials, according to Kimball's Biology Pages. These organisms rely on organic and inorganic food sources to provide the materials needed by the body; however, all food materials ultimately come from plant organisms. Metabolism processes convert the energy contained inside food into a fuel source. This fuel source appears as ATP molecules, which are manufactured by every cell in the body.

    Cell Metabolism

    • The concept of metabolism appears in its most basic form on the cellular level. Some organisms, like bacteria, can be made up of one or more cells. Metabolism processes fulfill vital needs for unicellular as well as multicellular organisms. Human cells carry out catabolic and anabolic functions as incoming food materials are broken down into a metabolic pool of nutrients. According to Kimball's Biology Pages, the cell's energy needs and building materials are all provided for within this pool. In effect, the concept of metabolism proceeds from a macro scale to a micro scale as food materials are converted into their most basic forms.

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