Question

Metabolism can be defined as the _______. a. adjustment by an organism to external or internal ch anges b. process whereby all unspecialized cells become specialized to perform distinct functions c. process whereby new cells are formed to replace worn-out cells d. sum of all chemical reactions in an org anism

Short answer

Answer: Metabolism can be defined as the sum of all chemical reactions in an organism.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the term metabolism

Metabolism refers to all the chemical reactions occurring within an organism to maintain life. These reactions involve breaking down substances to release energy, synthesizing new compounds, and removing waste products. Now, let's analyze each option.

Analyzing option a

Option a states that metabolism is the adjustment by an organism to external or internal changes. Although it is true that metabolic processes can help an organism adjust to changes, this option does not fully capture the meaning of metabolism as it only focuses on one aspect. So, option a is incorrect.

Analyzing option b

Option b defines metabolism as the process whereby all unspecialized cells become specialized to perform distinct functions. This process is actually called cell differentiation, not metabolism. Therefore, option b is incorrect.

Analyzing option c

Option c states that metabolism is the process whereby new cells are formed to replace worn-out cells. This process is known as cell renewal or replacement, and it is just a part of what metabolism entails. So, option c is incorrect as well.

Analyzing option d

Option d defines metabolism as the sum of all chemical reactions in an organism. This is the correct definition of metabolism, as it covers the broad scope of all the chemical reactions needed to sustain life.

Choosing the correct answer

After analyzing each option, option d is the correct definition of metabolism. Therefore, the answer is: Metabolism can be defined as the sum of all chemical reactions in an organism.