Which term means the combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials?

• A. Ligament
• B. Wellness
• C. Metabolism
• D. Addiction

Answer: (C)

Metabolism means all the chemical reactions inside a living organism that build up or break down materials. It includes catabolic reactions, which break larger molecules into smaller ones to release energy, and anabolic reactions, which use energy to construct larger, more complex molecules needed for growth and maintenance. Enzymes act as catalysts to speed these processes, and the energy produced is often stored as ATP to power cellular activities. This combined network of reactions is what keeps cells alive and functioning.

Ligament is a type of tissue that connects bones, not a process. Wellness refers to overall health, not the chemical reactions happening inside the body. Addiction describes a behavioral or physiological dependence on a substance, not the set of metabolic reactions.