Metabolic rate

Definition

Metabolic rate is the speed at which an organism's body converts nutrients into energy and expends that energy. It encompasses all biochemical processes that occur within the body, including those that break down food for fuel and those that build up body tissues.

Related terms

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): The minimum rate of energy expenditure per unit time by endothermic animals at rest; it represents the amount of energy needed to maintain basic physiological functions while at rest.

Thermogenesis:

The process of heat production in organisms, which can be influenced by factors such as environmental temperature, diet, and physical activity, contributing to variations in metabolic rate.

Caloric Intake: The total number of calories consumed through food and drink; it directly influences an individual's energy availability and can affect their metabolic rate when adjusted