What is metabolic basis for life ? Discuss.

Explanation

Metabolic pathways lead to a more complex structure from a simpler structure (e.g. Acetic acid is converted into cholesterol) or simpler substances from a complex structure (e.g. glucose is converted into lactic acid in our skeletal muscle).
The first type of reactions are called anabolic pathways. The latter constitute catabolic pathways.
Anabolic pathways consume energy, e.g. formation of protein from amino acids requires energy input. Catabolic pathways lead to the release of energy, e.g. when glucose, is converted to lactic acid on our skeletal muscle, lactic acid energy is liberated.
The metabolic pathway from glucose to lactic acid occurs in 10 metabolic steps is called glycolysis.
Living organisms, trap this energy liberated during degradation and store it in the form of chemical bonds.
As and when required, this bond energy is utilised for biosynthetic, osmotic and mechanic work, performed by organisms.
The most important form of energy currency in a living systems is the bond energy in the form of ATP adenosine triphosphate.