Phenomena and Processes

Metabolism

The chemical reactions in living organisms by which energy is provided for vital processes and activities and new material is assimilated.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The chemical reactions in living organisms by which energy is provided for vital processes and activities and new material is assimilated.

MeSH Record

Classification

MeSH Qualifier

Used as a Subheading

Metabolism is also a MeSH subheading (qualifier Q000378), attached to other headings to focus them on this aspect:

Used with organs, cells and subcellular fractions, organisms, and diseases for biochemical changes. It is used also with drugs and chemicals for catabolic changes (breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones). For anabolic processes (conversion of small molecules into large), BIOSYNTHESIS is used. For enzymology and pharmacokinetics use the specific subheadings.

Qualifier ID
Q000378
Qualifier Tree
Y08.040

Indexing annotation

subheading only: includes "binding", "catabolism", "conversion", "degradation", "pathway", "splitting", "storage", "utilization"; not for "anabolism": use instead/biosynthesis; for "absorption", "release", "transport", "uptake"/pharmacokinetics is also available; for excretion into the blood use/blood, into the cerebrospinal fluid use /cerebrospinal fluid, into the urine use/urine; for biosynthesis or synthesis use/biosynthesis; for metabolic aspects of enzymes use/enzymology with Category A, B, and C terms

Subheading synonyms

  • biochemical pathways
  • biodegradation
  • biotransformation
  • catabolism
  • degradation
  • secretion

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Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

20 entry terms
  • Metabolic Process
  • Metabolic Processes
  • Process, Metabolic
  • Processes, Metabolic
  • Anabolism
  • Catabolism
  • Metabolic Concepts
  • Metabolic Phenomena
  • Metabolic Phenomenon
  • Metabolism Concepts
  • Metabolism Phenomena
  • Concept, Metabolic
  • Concept, Metabolism
  • Concepts, Metabolic
  • Concepts, Metabolism
  • Metabolic Concept
  • Metabolism Concept
  • Phenomena, Metabolic
  • Phenomena, Metabolism
  • Phenomenon, Metabolic

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

5 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

general only as metabolic process/phenomena irrespective of substance; prefer /metab with organs, organisms, diseases, substances

MeSH Record

History Note

METABOLIC PROCESSES was NON MESH 1992-97; TISSUE METABOLISM was heading 1963-65

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. G03w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Metabolism. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D008660. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D008660
  2. Metabolism. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolism
  3. Metabolism. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1057