Metabolism

• Metabolism is the sum of all the reactions in a cell or the body
• The energy transferred by respiration in cells is used by the organism for the continual enzyme controlled processes of metabolism that synthesise new molecules
• Metabolism includes:

  • conversion of glucose to starch, glycogen, and cellulose
  • the formation of lipid molecules from a molecule of glycerol and three molecules of fatty acids
  • The use of glucose and nitrate ions to form amino acids which in turn are used to synthesise proteins
  • respiration
  • breakdown of excess proteins to form urea for excretion