Question

question 2 of 25
what is the correct definition of metabolism?

a. the process of decomposing organic matter by bacteria, chemical action, or heat.

b. the movement of a substance dissolved in a solution with a lower concentration to a solution with a higher concentration.

c. the processes taking place in the cells of a living body which extract, store, and use energy.

d. the replication of cells.

Explanation:

• Option A describes decomposition (e.g., by bacteria/heat), not metabolism. Metabolism is about energy in living cells, not just decomposition.
• Option B is the definition of active transport (movement against concentration gradient), not metabolism.
• Option C: Metabolism includes all cellular processes that involve extracting, storing, and using energy (like catabolism and anabolism) in living cells. This matches the correct definition.
• Option D describes cell replication (mitosis/meiosis), not metabolism.

Answer:

C. The processes taking place in the cells of a living body which extract, store, and use energy.