Field Internship Student Data Acquisition Project. (FISDAP) Airway Practice Exam

What is cellular respiration also referred to as?

1. Exhalation

2. Metabolism

3. Diffusion

4. Ventilation

The correct answer is: Metabolism

Cellular respiration is accurately referred to as metabolism because it encompasses the biochemical processes through which cells convert nutrients into energy. This complex series of reactions occurs in all living organisms, allowing cells to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is essential for various cellular functions. The term 'metabolism' itself covers both the breakdown of molecules to provide energy (catabolism) and the synthesis of compounds necessary for cell growth and repair (anabolism). Other terms associated with respiratory processes, such as exhalation and ventilation, specifically refer to the physical act of breathing and the exchange of gases in the lungs, rather than the metabolic processes occurring at the cellular level. Diffusion relates to the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration, which is a mechanism utilized in gas exchange but does not encompass the entirety of cellular respiration. Therefore, the most appropriate term that aligns with the energy-producing metabolic processes within cells is metabolism.