Metabolism encompasses all the chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life. It includes two main categories:
* Anabolism: The building up of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy. This includes processes like protein synthesis and the creation of complex carbohydrates.
* Catabolism: The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy. This includes processes like cellular respiration, where glucose is broken down to generate ATP (the cell's energy currency).
Metabolism is a highly regulated and interconnected network of reactions essential for a cell's survival, growth, and function.
