CHAPTER III 



METABOLISM THE CELL, ITS STRUCTURE 

 AND FUNCTIONS 



METABOLISM 



METABOLISM is the term used to express the various 

 and complex phenomena which are taking place within 

 tfre protoplasm of the cells of the tissues throughout 

 the body, whereby the food principles are transferred 

 into simpler or complex compounds by the action of 

 digestion, absorption, etc., and by which they are 

 carried to the cells of the tissues where they are again 

 converted into other bodies by an inherent function 

 of the protoplasm of the cells, and' produce energy 

 that is later transferred into heat and activity. 



Oxygen is essential to this chemic change going on 

 within the cells. But oxygen is not a food. 



When food is broken up into simple compounds 

 it is termed katabolism; and when transformed into 

 complex chemic bodies it is called anabolism. Both 

 of the above changes are continually going on within 

 the body and together comprise the processes of 

 metabolism. 



The body to develop, grow, and perform the various 

 functions which constitute life, requires material for 

 the tissues. This is derived from the food we eat and 

 liquids we drink; and the oxygen we breathe from the 

 air is essential to promote metabolism. The food 

 is used by the tissues and the waste materials result- 

 ing from the processes of metabolism are eliminated. 



