metabolism

Definition

The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek μεταβολή (metabolḗ, “change”) + -ism, from μεταβάλλω (metabállō, “to change, to alter”) + -η (-ē, action noun suffix).

Example Sentences

• "The metabolisms of aerobic bacteria require oxygen"
• "Small animals have a much higher metabolism than large animals because they lose more body heat"
• "The results of this generalized speedup of the corporate metabolism are multiple: shorter product life cycles, more leasing and renting, more frequent buying and selling, more ephemeral consumption patterns, […]"

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