Definition

Metabolism refers to all the physical and chemical processes in the body that convert or use energy, such as:

• Breathing
• Circulating blood
• Controlling body temperature
• Contracting muscles
• Digesting food and nutrients
• Eliminating waste through urine and feces
• Functioning of the brain and nerves

References

Shulman GI, Petersen KF. Metabolism. In: Boron WF, Boulpaep EL, eds. Medical Physiology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 58.