National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health | www.cancer.gov

NCI Home
Cancer Topics
Clinical Trials
Cancer Statistics
Research & Funding
News
About NCI
Dictionary of Cancer Terms
In English   En español
Page Options
Print This Page
More NCI Dictionaries
NCI Drug Dictionary

Glossary of Statistical Terms

NCI Dictionary of Genetics Terms

Terminology Resources
Quit Smoking Today
Search for
# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
In English   En español

metabolism (meh-TA-boh-lih-zum)

 The total of all chemical changes that take place in a cell or an organism. These changes make energy and the materials needed for growth, reproduction, and maintaining health. They also help get rid of toxic substances.



Previous Definitions:metabolic, metabolic acidosis, metabolic disorder, metabolic therapy, metabolic type
Next Definitions:metabolite, metallic, metaplasia, metaplastic carcinoma, metastasectomy

A Service of the National Cancer Institute
Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health USA.gov