National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Practice Exam

What term refers to all the chemical reactions that are essential for life in the body?

1. Homeostasis

2. Metabolism

3. Physiology

4. Biochemistry

The correct answer is: Metabolism

Metabolism is the term that encompasses all the chemical reactions that occur within the body, essential for maintaining life. It includes both catabolic processes, which break down molecules to release energy, and anabolic processes, which use energy to construct cellular components. This interplay of reactions allows for the conversion of food into energy, synthesis of necessary biomolecules, and the regulation of bodily functions. While homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment, it does not encompass the broad range of chemical reactions that occur throughout the body. Physiology is the study of how biological systems function, but it does not specifically denote the chemical processes themselves. Biochemistry, on the other hand, focuses on the chemical substances and processes occurring in living organisms, but it is a broader field that does not specifically refer to the overall metabolism of an organism.