What exactly IS metabolism?

[trinitylove]

Is it the rate at which our body converts calories to energy or
Is it the efficiency of how our body converts calories to energy?
And if anyone says "semantics" i'm gonna :bitch:
:lol:
To me there is a distinct difference, but maybe there isn't as big of one as i think. :shrug:

[accismus]

metabolism
n.

1. The chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life. In metabolism some substances are broken down to yield energy for vital processes while other substances, necessary for life, are synthesized.
2. The processing of a specific substance within the living body: water metabolism; iodine metabolism.


"Metabolism (from Greek μεταβολισμός "metabolismos") is the biochemical modification of chemical compounds in living organisms and cells. This includes the biosynthesis of complex organic molecules (anabolism) and their breakdown (catabolism). Metabolism usually consists of sequences of enzymatic steps, also called metabolic pathways. The total metabolism are all biochemical processes of an organism. The cell metabolism includes all chemical processes in a cell. The dynamic energy budget theory aims to quantify the metabolic organisation of individual organisms. In other words, it is the rate your body uses up energy."