Final answer:
A metabolically alive cell will not degrade, as it maintains vital functions to preserve its integrity, adapts to survive under various conditions through processes like fermentation when needed, and controls energy from metabolism using ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a cell will not degrade as long as it is metabolically alive is true. When a cell stops dividing due to unfavorable conditions, it remains metabolically active to maintain cellular integrity and function. A metabolically active cell will engage in various processes to survive, such as fermenting when cellular respiration isn't possible, handling the energy from catabolism in a controlled manner using certain compounds like ATP, and maintaining the synthesis of vital molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids.
For instance, in conditions where oxygen is scarce, metabolically versatile microbes may perform fermentation instead of cellular respiration to generate ATP. Red blood cells, which are limited to glycolysis for energy, demonstrate that cells with restricted metabolic capabilities will still produce ATP and remain viable as long as they can perform essential metabolic reactions.
However, it is also crucial to understand that not all genes are always being transcribed into proteins in a cell. Cellular activity varies based on many factors including environmental conditions and specific cellular needs.