
metabolic pathway
A metabolic pathway is a series of interconnected chemical reactions that occur in your body to convert the food you eat into energy and vital components. Think of it as a biological assembly line: each step transforms molecules into different forms, leading to products like energy, building blocks for growth, or waste elimination. These pathways are tightly regulated to ensure your body functions smoothly, supporting everything from muscle movement to cell repair. In essence, metabolic pathways are the processes that keep your body's complex chemistry running efficiently to sustain life.