Metabolism
The complete set of chemical reactions occurring within a living organism.
Unit
kJ/day
In depth
Metabolism divides into catabolism, which breaks molecules down and releases energy, and anabolism, which builds them up and consumes it. The two are coupled through ATP and through reduced coenzymes, and every step is catalysed and regulated by enzymes.
Examples in the real world
An adult basal metabolic rate near 7000 kJ per day; glycolysis as catabolic and protein synthesis as anabolic.