What it means
The sum of the body's chemical work. Some processes break food down to release energy; others use energy to build proteins, fat stores and new cells. The rate is controlled largely by thyroidTHY-roydRelating to the thyroid gland in the neck or the hormones it makes; often used alone to mean the gland itself.thyr/o thyroid gland-oid resembling (the gland was named for a shield)Full entry hormone. In pharmacology, drug metabolism means the body, mostly the liverLIV-erA large organ in the right upper abdomen that processes nutrients, makes bile and clotting factors, and clears drugs and toxins from the blood.hepat/o liverFull entry , changing a drug so it can be removed; liver disease and age can slow it.
At a glance
| Spanish | metabolismo |
|---|---|
| Also written | metabolized, metabolise |
Related terms
digestion
The process of breaking food down into small parts the body can absorb and use.
nutrition
The intake and use of food and its nutrients for energy, growth and repair of the body.
thyroid
Relating to the thyroid gland in the neck or the hormones it makes; often used alone to mean the gland itself.
liver
A large organ in the right upper abdomen that processes nutrients, makes bile and clotting factors, and clears drugs and toxins from the blood.
enzyme
A protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in the body without being used up.