nonmetabolic
Outside cellular processing
Nonmetabolic describes processes, conditions, or substances not involving metabolism—the chemical reactions that sustain life in cells.
A nonmetabolic cause of weight gain might be fluid retention rather than caloric intake.
Nonmetabolic pathways don't involve the breakdown or synthesis of molecules for energy.
The term appears mainly in medical and scientific contexts.
Not actively participating
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
- osmoticConcerning membrane diffusion
- transportMoving things between places
- storageSpace for keeping goods
structural · mechanical · filtration · absorption · secretion · excretion · circulation · respiration
Involving biological catalysts
- catabolicBreaking down complex molecules
- anabolicBuilding complex molecules
- biosyntheticMade by living organisms
- cellularComposed of small units
physiological · biochemical · oxidative · respiratory · homeostatic · bioenergetic · catalytic · synthetic
Relating to building framework
- mechanicalOperated by machinery
- geneticRelating to heredity
- congenitalExisting from birth
- traumaticCausing severe emotional damage
inflammatory · infectious · autoimmune · degenerative · neoplastic · vascular · neurological · iatrogenic
passive
Not actively participating
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
- osmoticConcerning membrane diffusion
- transportMoving things between places
storage · structural · mechanical · filtration · absorption · secretion · excretion · circulation · respiration · neural
enzymatic
Involving biological catalysts
- catabolicBreaking down complex molecules
- anabolicBuilding complex molecules
- biosyntheticMade by living organisms
cellular · physiological · biochemical · oxidative · respiratory · homeostatic · bioenergetic · catalytic · synthetic · degradative
structural
Relating to building framework
- mechanicalOperated by machinery
- geneticRelating to heredity
- congenitalExisting from birth
traumatic · inflammatory · infectious · autoimmune · degenerative · neoplastic · vascular · neurological · iatrogenic · functional