Importance of Cellular Metabolism

He metabolism cellular account of the various processes that take place within the cell and whose purpose is its nutrition, growth and reproduction. In this sense, the cell is capable of establishing relationships with the environment in which it develops in order to obtain beneficial elements for it, a benefit that is reflected in the maintenance of all structures existing. He metabolism It is this intricate process that makes it possible for the cell to always remain differentiated from the environment and at the same time in relation to it; This process is understood from two perspectives, catabolism and anabolism.

Catabolism is a process that enables the cell (and an entire organism made up of many cells) to obtain energy by breaking down certain elements. Thus, by means of this phenomenon, certain existing molecules in the cell are decomposed to form simpler, smaller molecules. This operation is carried out with the purpose that with the rupture of this structure energy can be generated that will later be used for different activities of the cell. This procedure is common and ensures that there is a

In the case of anabolism we have exactly the opposite situation to that observed in catabolism. Indeed, if in catabolism there was a process of decomposition of complex molecules into simpler ones to obtain energy, in anabolism we will have a process consisting of the formation of more complex and richer molecules in energy. In contrast to catabolism, this process, instead of releasing energy, will result in its consumption. It is for all the above that this phenomenon is usually considered a constructive phase of both the cell and a complete organism.

It goes without saying that for these processes to take place, the cell must interact with the environment, receiving nutrients from it and eliminating waste, that is, those elements that lack some utility. You also need the oxygen in the case of man and the vast majority of organisms. This interaction is carried out through the cell membrane, a membrane that is responsible for separating the reactions that take place inside the cell and the circumstances outside; it distinguishes between elements that can be beneficial for metabolic processes and those that are insignificant or directly negative.