Definition

A substance that is involved in or produced by the process of metabolism in living organisms.

Example

Glucose is an important metabolite that provides energy to cells.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term metabolite?

Yeah, isn’t it related to how our body processes food?

Exactly! It’s a substance produced during metabolism.

That makes sense; I guess it’s important for our energy levels.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Metabolite is formed from "meta-" (meaning change or transformation) and "ballein" (Greek for to throw). The term refers to a substance that is involved in the process of metabolism, which is the transformation of substances in the body.

Memory Tip

Think of 'meta-' meaning change and 'ballein' meaning to throw, which helps you remember that a metabolite is a substance that is transformed during metabolism.

Visually Confused Words