Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that occur within living organisms to maintain life. These reactions are responsible for converting food into energy, building and repairing tissues, and regulating various physiological processes. Metabolism can be broken down into two main processes: catabolism, which is the breakdown of molecules to release energy, and anabolism, which is the synthesis of molecules to build cells and tissues. Understanding metabolism is important in fields such as biochemistry, nutrition, and medicine, as imbalances or dysfunctions in metabolism can lead to various health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders.