Brianna Laplante

Metabolism is a collection of chemical reactions that takes place in the body’s cells.  Metabolism converts the fuel in the food we eat into the energy needed to power everything we do–from moving, to thinking, to growing.  If metabolism stops, living things die. 

After food is eaten, enzymes in the digestive system break down proteins into amino acids, break down fats into fatty acids and carbohydrates into simple sugars (glucose).  Along with sugar, amino acids and fatty acids can be used as energy sources by the body when needed.  These compounds are absorbed into the blood, which transports them to cells. 

After they enter the cells, other enzymes act to speed up chemical reactions involved with “metabolizing” these compounds.  During these processes, the energy from these compounds can be released for use by the body, or stored in body tissues–especially the liver, muscles and body fat.  In this way, the process of metabolism is really a balancing act involving 2 kinds of activities that go on at the same time–the building up of body tissues/energy stores and the breaking down of body tissues/energy stores to generate more fuel for body functions. 

Anabolism: constructive metabolism

Catabolism: destructive metabolism

Metabolism is a complicated chemical process in the body.  Basal metabolic rate, calorie intake, and hormones are just a few factors that influence metabolism!!  Just like a car stores gas in the tank, the body stores calories–primarily as fat.  If you overfill a car with gas it will spill onto the tar.  Likewise, if you fill the body up with too many calories..they will form excess body fat!

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