Final answer:
Metabolism refers to the chemical processes that occur in an organism to maintain life. It involves the breakdown of complex molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins into smaller components to release energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metabolism refers to the chemical processes that occur in an organism to maintain life. It involves the breakdown of complex molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins into smaller components to release energy.
For carbohydrate metabolism, the process starts with the digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth and small intestine, followed by the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. Glucose is then transported to cells, where it undergoes glycolysis to produce energy.
In lipid metabolism, fats are broken down into fatty acids and glycerol through digestion. Fatty acids are transported to cells, where they undergo beta-oxidation to produce ATP.
Protein metabolism involves the digestion of proteins into amino acids in the stomach and small intestine. Amino acids are then used for various processes, including the synthesis of new proteins.