Metabolism

Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems. This is the condition of optimal functioning for the organism and includes many variables, such as body temperature and fluid balance, being kept within certain pre-set limits. Maintaining order and balance is the goal of all living things, and it is what separates living things from nonliving things, which tend to break down and decay. This maintenance of a healthy, functioning internal environment requires multiple biological processes, most of which require energy.

Metabolism

Organisms need energy in order to live. This energy is acquired by doing biochemical reactions. Biochemical reactions is an intimidating word but really just means the numerous chemical reactions taking place within a living organism. Examples of biochemical reactions are photosynthesis or respiration. If you add up all the biochemical reactions taking place within the organism you have its metabolism. Metabolism is then the sum of an organism's biochemical reactions. Only living organisms have a metabolism.

GRRSNERT

The biochemical processes that make up your metabolism can be separated out into categories. GRRSNERT is an acronym that many living environment teachers in Webster use to help remember the life processes.