I WONDER - What Is Metabolism?

Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions in living organisms to sustain life, akin to a car's engine and electrical system. It involves processes like energy extraction from food and cellular structure formation. Enzymes play a crucial role in ensuring these processes occur efficiently.

What is metabolism often compared to in order to explain its function in the body?

• A computer's processor

• A car's engine and electrical system

• A bicycle's gears

• A smartphone's battery

Which of the following is NOT a function of metabolism?

• Regulating body temperature

• Building new cellular structures

• Breaking down food to extract energy

• Maintaining cognitive abilities

What is one of the processes included in metabolism?

• Protein synthesis

• Cellular respiration

• Breaking down food for energy

• Photosynthesis

What is the primary role of enzymes in metabolism?

• To transport nutrients across cells

• To slow down metabolic reactions

• To store energy for later use

• To facilitate efficient metabolic processes

How do enzymes affect the speed of metabolic processes?

• They stop the processes entirely

• They slow down the processes

• They have no effect on speed

• They make processes occur at life-compatible speeds