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METABOLISM
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for life
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural processes
Hypernyms ("metabolism" is a kind of...):
biological process; organic process (a process occurring in living organisms)
Meronyms (parts of "metabolism"):
anabolism; constructive metabolism (the synthesis in living organisms of more complex substances (e.g., living tissue) from simpler ones together with the storage of energy)
catabolism; destructive metabolism; dissimilation; katabolism (breakdown in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones together with release of energy)
citric acid cycle; Krebs citric acid cycle; Krebs cycle; tricarboxylic acid cycle (in all plants and animals: a series of enzymatic reactions in mitochondria involving oxidative metabolism of acetyl compounds to produce high-energy phosphate compounds that are the source of cellular energy)
Domain category:
being; organism (a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "metabolism"):
cellular respiration; internal respiration; respiration (the metabolic processes whereby certain organisms obtain energy from organic molecules; processes that take place in the cells and tissues during which energy is released and carbon dioxide is produced and absorbed by the blood to be transported to the lungs)
basal metabolism (the amount of energy required to maintain the body of an individual in a resting state)
fat metabolism (a metabolic process that breaks down ingested fats into fatty acids and glycerol and then into simpler compounds that can be used by cells of the body)
glycolysis (a metabolic process that breaks down carbohydrates and sugars through a series of reactions to either pyruvic acid or lactic acid and releases energy for the body in the form of ATP)
Derivation:
metabolic (of or relating to metabolism)
metabolize (produce by metabolism)
Sense 2
Meaning:
The marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals
Synonyms:
metabolism; metamorphosis
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural processes
Hypernyms ("metabolism" is a kind of...):
biological process; organic process (a process occurring in living organisms)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "metabolism"):
hemimetabolism; hemimetaboly; hemimetamorphosis (incomplete or partial metamorphosis in insects)
heterometabolism; heterometaboly (development of insects with incomplete metamorphosis in which no pupal stage precedes maturity)
holometabolism; holometaboly (complete metamorphosis in insects)
Derivation:
metabolic; metabolous (undergoing metamorphosis)
Context examples:
An X-linked disorder caused by mutations in the ATP7A gene resulting in the abnormal transport and metabolism of copper.
(Menkes Disease, NCI Thesaurus)
This gene is involved in ceramide metabolism.
(ACER1 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)
This gene is involved in bile metabolism.
(ABCC3 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)
Treatment to correct changes in metabolism that can be caused by disease.
(Metabolic therapy, NCI Dictionary)
A Virginia Tech research team discovered that the olive-derived compound oleuropein helps the body secrete more insulin, a central signaling molecule in the body that controls metabolism.
(Health Benefits of Olives and Olive Oil, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
Research has found that breastfeeding increases insulin sensitivity and improves glucose metabolism in the mother.
(Breastfeeding may help prevent type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes, NIH)
This allele, which encodes alkaline ceramidase 3 protein, plays a role in phytoceramide metabolism.
(ACER3 wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)
Alcohol significantly affects brain glucose metabolism, a measure of energy use, as well as regional brain activity, which is assessed through changes in blood oxygenation.
(Study of brain energy patterns provides new insights into alcohol effects, National Institutes of Health)
Those people have what the researchers call a “thrifty” metabolism, compared to a “spendthrift” metabolism in those who lost the most weight and whose metabolism decreased the least.
(Ease of weight loss influenced by individual biology, NIH)
This gene is involved in both the metabolism of flavinoids and the posttranslational modification of proteins.
(ACP1 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)
