m-e-t-a-b-o-l-i-s-m
METABOLISM is the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms that convert nutrients into energy and building blocks for growth and maintenance.
16
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
METABOLISM encompasses all the biochemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to environmental changes. Metabolism is divided into two categories: catabolism (breaking down molecules to obtain energy) and anabolism (synthesizing compounds needed by cells). The rate of metabolism varies among individuals and is influenced by factors including age, sex, muscle mass, and physical activity.Key metabolic processes:
The word metabolism comes from Greek metabolē, meaning "change" or "transformation." This combines meta- (change, after) + ballein (to throw), literally meaning "to throw change." The term was first used in a biological context by German physiologist Theodor Schwann in 1839, though the Greek word had been used earlier to mean "change" in general. The modern biochemical understanding of metabolism developed throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The suffix -ism indicates a process or condition, making metabolism literally "the process of change" - perfectly capturing how organisms transform matter and energy.
•Your metabolism slows by about 2% per decade after age 25, requiring dietary adjustments
•Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue - building muscle boosts metabolism
•The human brain uses about 20% of the body's metabolic energy despite being only 2% of body weight
•Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of any animal, with heart rates up to 1,260 beats per minute
"Regular exercise helps boost your metabolism and maintain a healthy weight."
"Her fast metabolism allowed her to eat more without gaining weight."
"The medication affected his metabolism, causing unexpected side effects."
Total base points: 16 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 4 | Consonants: 6
Words with similar meaning
Biochemistry
Chemical processes in organisms
Digestion
Breaking down food
Conversion
Transformation process
Associated biological concepts
Anabolism
Building up molecules
Catabolism
Breaking down molecules
Enzyme
Metabolic catalyst
ATP
Energy currency of cells
Adjective Form
metabolic
The metabolic rate varies between individuals.
Verb Form
metabolize
The liver metabolizes most medications.
Related Terms
Resting energy expenditure
Disrupted biochemical processes
How body processes medications
If you can't play METABOLISM, consider these subwords:
Metabolic disorders like diabetes, phenylketonuria (PKU), and metabolic syndrome are major health concerns. Understanding metabolism is crucial for treating obesity, managing energy balance, and developing personalized nutrition plans. Metabolic testing helps diagnose various conditions and optimize treatment strategies.
Athletes optimize their metabolism through training and nutrition. Understanding metabolic pathways helps in designing effective training programs, managing energy systems during competition, and improving recovery. Metabolic conditioning has become a cornerstone of modern fitness training.
Metabolomics, the study of metabolites, is revealing new insights into disease mechanisms, drug development, and personalized medicine. Research into metabolic pathways has led to breakthroughs in cancer treatment, aging research, and understanding evolutionary biology.
"Starvation mode" myths
Metabolism doesn't "shut down" from dieting
Fast vs. slow metabolism
Differences are smaller than commonly believed
Metabolism and aging
Decline is gradual, not dramatic
ENZYME
Biological catalyst
PROTEIN
Essential nutrient
GLUCOSE
Simple sugar
ENERGY
Power for activity
HORMONE
Chemical messenger
VITAMIN
Essential nutrient
Other valuable scientific terms in Scrabble
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