Biochemistry
Metabolism
The sum of all chemical reactions occurring within an organism to maintain life, including breaking down nutrients for energy (catabolism) and building complex molecules (anabolism).
Biological Context
Metabolic rate—how fast an organism processes energy—scales with body size following power laws. Higher metabolic rates mean faster energy consumption but also faster growth and reproduction. Metabolism generates heat, maintains structures, and powers all biological activity.
Business Application
In business, metabolism is how fast an organization converts resources (capital, talent, time) into value. Startups have high metabolic rates; mature enterprises have lower but more efficient ones.