Metabolism is the phenomenon that includes a series of chemical events in the body of an organism that is essential for the organism to maintain its life.
These events are also known as metabolic processes and involve two activities: anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism is the process of building up body tissues and energy stores.
At the same time, catabolism is the process of breaking down body tissues and energy stores to provide fuel for bodily functions. But what exactly is metabolic activity? Let’s find out.
Metabolic activity is the part of metabolism that takes place in the body of an organism. It consists of chemical processes necessary for a biological organism to stay alive. It involves the transformation of the energy of the body, which must always be present for life to be sustained.
The cytoplasm is a gelatinous liquid substance that fills the inside of a cell. Organelles are present in the cytoplasm. This is where the metabolic activities take place.
Some examples of metabolic activity include cellular respiration, anaerobic digestion, etc. For example, cells split into two pyruvate molecules through the ten-step process of glycolysis.
This well-coordinated chain of chemical reactions serves as an example of metabolic activity along a particular metabolic pathway, in which the end product of one reaction serves as the substrate for the next.
Note from The Fitness Freak
It is generally believed that metabolic activity is solely responsible for weight gain. However, weight gain is a function of genetics, lifestyle, stress, lack of sleep, conditions such as an underactive thyroid gland, Cushing’s syndrome and many more. In short, even if you have a poor metabolism, making lifestyle changes and burning more calories can help prevent weight gain.
Nutrients taken in for energy are essential for metabolic processes or activities. For example, the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids and other biomolecules in our body needs this energy. Moreover, if the nutrients that the body needs are insufficient, it leads to poor health and poor metabolism.
The body cannot itself create all the necessary molecules; thus, the essential nutrients help by providing the energy and other substances the body needs. Various nutrients found in foods are the body’s standard needs for tissue function and repair and development. A person’s diet requires both inorganic chemicals and organic nutrition. Therefore, to simplify, proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins are examples of biological nutrition. Oxygen, water and other dietary minerals are inorganic chemical compounds.
Metabolism is a complicated chemical process. Enzymes are necessary for metabolism because they allow organisms to generate desirable reactions that require energy. It allows the control of metabolic pathways in response to alterations in the cellular environment or signals from other cells. In addition, hormones in the endocrine system play a role in regulating the rate and pathway of metabolism. How fast or slow the chemical reactions of a person’s body for the movement of metabolism significantly depends on the hormone thyroxine, which is produced and released by the thyroid gland. The pancreas secretes hormones that determine whether the body’s primary metabolic activity at any given time is anabolic or catabolic.
The number of calories an individual burns each day depends on how much and for how long that person exercises, their body fat and muscle composition, and their basal metabolic rate (BMR).
BMR measures how quickly a person’s body “burns” calories for energy at rest. Genes and certain medical conditions can impact BMR.
To research indicates that body composition is another factor that affects basal metabolic rate. BMRs are often higher in those with more muscle and less fat. However, several other factors can alter a person’s BMR. For example, a person who exercises more burns more calories and becomes fitter, which increases BMR.
Note from The Fitness Freak
An essential component of cellular maintenance is enzymes to control metabolic reactions. Cells must balance the needs and surpluses of their different metabolic pathways and maintain a balance between catabolic and anabolic pathways. Through metabolic activity, a cell can respond to changing environmental demands and control its metabolic pathways through enzyme activity. They are crucial for survival.
Conclusion
Metabolic activity plays an important role in the growth of an organism, including all processes from digestion to excretion. Hormones, nutrients, minerals, etc. regulate our body’s metabolism.
Additionally, our genes serve as the blueprint for the proteins that make up our bodies, and proteins are responsible for the digestion and metabolism of the food we eat.
Many factors, such as age, gender, muscle to fat ratio, level of physical activity and hormonal function, impact metabolic activity.
