Which field of study focuses on how energy flows through living organisms?

Bioenergetics is the field of study that specifically examines how energy flows through living organisms. It encompasses the principles governing energy transformation within biological systems and how that energy fuels cellular processes. Bioenergetics focuses on understanding the biochemical pathways involved in energy production and utilization, primarily through the mechanisms of cellular respiration and photosynthesis. It evaluates how organisms harness, store, and utilize energy to maintain life, emphasizing the energetic requirements of various biological functions.

In contrast, metabolism refers to the total sum of all chemical reactions that occur within an organism, including both energy-producing and energy-consuming processes, but it does not solely focus on the flow of energy. Anabolic pathways are those that build complex molecules from simpler ones, often requiring an input of energy, while catabolic pathways involve breaking down molecules to release energy. While these pathways play significant roles in metabolism and energy dynamics, they do not provide a comprehensive approach to understanding how energy flows through living organisms, which is the core focus of bioenergetics.