If they didn’t, they wouldn’t even be able to speak (because that, too,
requires energy that comes from, you guessed it: metabolism!).
It’s also interesting to note that, while we conveniently refer to the
metabolic process as if it were a single function, it’s really a catch-all
term for countless functions that are taking place inside the body. Every
second of every minute of every day of your life – even, of course, when
you sleep – numerous chemical conversions are taking place through
metabolism, or metabolic functioning.
In a certain light, the metabolism has been referred to as a harmonizing
process that manages to achieve two critical bodily functions that, in a
sense, seem to be at odds with each other.
Anabolism and Catabolism
The first function is creating tissue and cells. Each moment, our bodies
are creating more cells to replace dead or dysfunctional cells.
For example, if you cut your finger, your body (if it’s functioning properly)
will begin – without even wasting a moment or asking your permission –the
process of creating skin cells to clot the blood and start the healing
process. This creation process is indeed a metabolic response, and is
called anabolism.
On the other hand, there is the exact opposite activity taking place in
other parts of the body. Instead of building cells and tissue through
metabolism, the body is breaking down energy so that the body can do
what it’s supposed to do.