Final answer:
A person's metabolic rate refers to the amount of energy they expend in a given period of time. The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the total energy conversion rate of a person at rest, which is influenced by various factors such as age, gender, body weight, and muscle mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person's metabolic rate is the amount of energy she expends in a given period of time. It is the rate at which the body uses food energy to sustain life and perform various activities. The total energy conversion rate of a person at rest is called the basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is a function of age, gender, total body weight, and amount of muscle mass. Athletes, who have more muscle mass, tend to have a higher BMR.