What does metabolism refer to in biological terms?

Metabolism in biological terms encompasses all the chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life, specifically focusing on the conversion of food into energy. The correct answer highlights that metabolism involves the process of breaking down substances, typically carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, to release energy that is essential for the various functions needed for survival, growth, and reproduction.

This process not only includes catabolic reactions, where larger molecules are broken down into smaller units, but also anabolic reactions, which build up larger molecules from smaller ones. Thus, metabolism is fundamentally about energy production and utilization.

In contrast, the other options relate to specific aspects of growth and energy storage but do not encompass the full scope of metabolism. Growth of cells, storage of nutrients, and development of tissues are important biological processes, but they do not specifically define metabolism, which is distinctly centered around energy transformation and chemical reaction pathways within the body.