basal metabolism

metabolism /me·tab·o·lism/ (mĕ-tab´ŏ-lizm)

1. the sum of all the physical and chemical processes by which living organized substance is produced and maintained (anabolism), and also the transformation by which energy is made available for the uses of the organism (catabolism).

2. biotransformation.metabol´ic,

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basal metabolism  the minimal energy expended to maintain respiration, circulation, peristalsis, muscle tonus, body temperature, glandular activity, and the other vegetative functions of the body.

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basal metabolism

n.

The minimum amount of energy required to maintain vital functions in an organism at complete rest, measured by the basal metabolic rate in a fasting individual.

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basal metabolism

Etymology: Gk, basis + metabole, change

the amount of energy needed to maintain essential body functions, such as respiration, circulation, temperature, peristalsis, and muscle tone. Basal metabolism is measured when the subject is awake and at complete rest, has not eaten for 14 to 18 hours, and is in a comfortable, warm environment. It is expressed as a basal metabolic rate, according to Calories per hour per square meter of body surface. See also Calorie.

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basal metabolism,

n the minimum amount of energy that the body requires to carry out normal functions such as respiration, temperature, peristalsis, circulation, and muscle tone.

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basal (baz´l),

adj 1. describing the minimal functions necessary for life.
adj 2. located at or forming the base of a structure.
n 3. the fundamental structures from which an organism is derived.

basal bone,

n portion of the jawbones that forms the body of the maxilla or mandible.

basal lamina,

n a layer composed of the lamina densa and the lamina lucida. It is an extracellular matrix that lies beneath the epithelium and is believed to inhibit cell migration. The term is usually associated with electron microscopy, whereas the term
basement membrane is usually associated with light microscopy.

basal layer,

n See stratum basale.

basal metabolic rate (BMR)

n a type of basal rate, or energy exchange, determined by means of a clinical test of oxygen consumption in a subject who has had a good night's rest, has fasted for 12 to 14 hours, and has been physically, mentally, and emotionally at rest for 30 minutes; usually indicated as a percentage of the normal calorie production per surface area, the normal values ranging between plus and minus 20%.

basal metabolism,

n See basal metabolic rate.

basal seat,

n the oral tissues and structures that support a denture.

basal seat area,

n See area, basal seat.

basal seat outline,

n an outline on the mucous membrane or on a cast of the entire area that is to be covered by a denture.

basal surface,

n See surface, basal.

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metabolism (metab´ōlizm),

n the sum of chemical changes involved in the function of nutrition. There are two phases: anabolism (constructive or assimilative changes) and catabolism (destructive or retrograde changes).

metabolism, basal,

n See basal metabolic rate.

metabolism, bone,

n the continual complex of anabolism and catabolism taking place in bone when it is in physiologic equilibrium. Bone is a highly labile substance that reflects the adequacy of general body metabolism. See also bone, alveolar, metabolism.

metabolism, cell,

n the complexity of anabolic and catabolic processes occurring within cellular structures.

metabolism, energy,

n the transformation of energy in living tissues, consisting of anabolism (storage of energy) and catabolism (the dissipation of energy).

metabolism, substance,

n the physical and chemical processes by which living organized tissues are produced and maintained.

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basal

pertaining to or situated near a base; in physiology, pertaining to the lowest possible level.

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basal body

the structure that acts as a template for the characteristic 9 + 2 arrangement of the microtubules of eukaryotic cilia and flagella.

basal cell tumors

neoplasms of the multipotential cells within the stratum germinativum of the skin. They are common in dogs and cats, are locally expansive and do not metastasize.

basal energy requirements (BER)

see energy requirements.

basal ganglia

a collection of masses of gray matter at the base of the cerebral hemispheres, subthalamus and midbrain which are responsible for much of the organization of the activity of somatic muscles. The individual nuclei are the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, endopeduncular nucleus, subthalamic nucleus and the substantia nigra. Other nuclei which have a similar function but are usually not included in the group are the amygdaloid nuclei and the red nucleus.

basal layer

see stratum basale.

basal membrane

the deepest layer of the epidermis in the avian skin. Called also dermoepidermal junction.

basal metabolic rate

see metabolic rate.

basal metabolism

the minimal energy expended for the maintenance of respiration, circulation, peristalsis, muscle tonus, body temperature, glandular activity and the other vegetative functions of the body. See also metabolic rate.

basal metabolism test

a method of measuring the body's expenditure of energy by recording its rate of oxygen intake and consumption. Once a major test of thyroid gland function, it is being replaced by diagnostic tests requiring less extensive preparation and capable of producing more accurate test results, e.g. the determination of the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood and the radioiodine uptake test.

basal nuclei

see basal ganglion.

basal plate

the ventral plate of the developing neural tube of the embryo; associated with motor output from the CNS.

basal tone

degree of contractile tension remaining in blood vessels after complete elimination of all external excitatory influences.