• What is metabolism?
• Phases of metabolism
• Metabolism functions
• Importance of metabolism
• Types of human metabolism

We explain what metabolism is, what its phases are and the functions it performs. Its importance and types of metabolism.

The processes of metabolism take place in cells.

What is metabolism?

Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions controlled, by which the living beings can change the nature of certain substances in order to obtain the nutritional elements and the amounts of Energy that they require in the growth processes, developing, reproduction, response to stimuli, adaptation and support of the life.

Metabolism takes place inside the cells of living organisms, through a set of organic substances, of a protein nature, called enzymes, which are responsible for promoting certain biochemical reactions.

Enzymes seek to generate favorable chemical reactions to the body and avoid unfavorable ones. They do so through specific chains of reactions called "metabolic pathways", in which a substance is transformed into a chemical product which in turn serves as a reagent in a new transformation process, by using compounds nutritious and discard toxic ones.

Different species of living beings use similar metabolic pathways, although each specific metabolism also determines the amount of food that the species needs.

Phases of metabolism

Catabolism releases energy by breaking chemical bonds present in nutrients.

Biological metabolism is made up of two phases or conjugated stages: catabolism Yanabolism. The first deals with releasing energy, breaking given chemical bonds; the second is to use that energy to form new chemical links and compose new organic compounds. These phases depend on each other and feed off each other.

• Catabolism or destructive metabolism. Energy-releasing processes are carried out from the breaking of chemical bonds present in nutrients, usually through the hydrolysis and the oxidation, which convert molecules complex into simpler ones. In exchange, chemical energy is obtained (ATP), reducing power (ability to donate electrons or receive protons of certain molecules) and the components necessary for anabolism.
• Anabolism or constructive metabolism. Constructive processes are carried out that consume chemical energy, to undertake the reverse process of catabolism, and form more complex molecules from structures simple, and supply the body protein, lipids, polysaccharides and nucleic acids.

Metabolism functions

Metabolism is the set of chemical transformations that provides the living body with the substances it needs to exist, grow and reproduce.

In the case of plants and the autotrophic organisms, metabolism begins with the fixation of carbon dioxide using the sunlight, to later synthesize, from simple molecules, the carbohydrates that will serve as cellular fuel.

On the other hand, in heterotrophic organisms (Like the animals) metabolism starts from oxidizing and breaking down glucose (glycolysis), proteins and lipids extracted from organic material on which they feed, which requires digestion that transforms the tissue and the consumed matter into their elemental components.

Importance of metabolism

If the metabolism were to stop, it would be impossible to sustain vital activity.

Metabolism is the guarantee of life. Living beings are exchanging matter and energy with the environment throughout life, so metabolism accompanies us from birth to birth. death, acting without interruption.

If the metabolism were to stop, death would ensue, since it would be impossible to continue obtaining the chemical energy to sustain vital activity, much less to grow or to reproduce or replace damaged tissues.

Types of human metabolism

According to nutritionists and feeding, three types of human metabolism can be identified:

• Protein metabolism. People with this type of metabolism are not prone to the intake of sugars and sweets, exhibit a predilection for diets rich in protein and animal fats, and tend to be hungry frequently.
• Carbohydrate metabolism. People with this type of metabolism have moderate appetites, and prefer sweets and flours, as well as stimulants (such as coffee). They present a frequent variation of weight and it is difficult for them to achieve a certain stability.
• Mixed metabolism. People with this type of metabolism are equally nourished in both ways and tend to stay within moderate ranges of hunger. However, when feeding fails, they are the first group to show symptoms of fatigue.