Which term refers to the sum of all chemical reactions occurring in a cell?

Metabolism is the term that refers to the sum of all chemical reactions occurring in a cell. It encompasses both catabolic reactions, which break down molecules to release energy, and anabolic reactions, which build up molecules using energy. This holistic view of cellular activity is crucial for understanding how cells convert food into energy, synthesize necessary compounds, and maintain their overall function.

In contrast, homeostasis refers to the stable internal conditions that cells and organisms maintain despite external changes, while cell cycling pertains specifically to the series of phases that a cell goes through in the process of division and replication. Growth generally refers to the increase in size or number of cells, which can be a result of metabolic processes but is not synonymous with the entirety of chemical reactions happening within a cell. Therefore, metabolism encompasses all these processes and reflects the dynamic nature of cellular life.