70–75 — METABOLIC ACTIVITY STATES
The Metabolic Activity States layer identifies the current dynamic condition of the focal system’s energy throughput, biosynthesis, reserve balance, and degree of metabolic suppression.
Operational definition
Layer type: Current physiological-flux layer Governs: Items 70–75
Governing question
What is the system’s energetic condition during the present observation interval?
Included states
- active steady-state;
- anabolic state;
- reserve-accumulation state;
- catabolic or deficit state;
- metabolic suppression;
- reactivation.
Inclusion rule
A state belongs here when it can be operationally identified through current rates or directional changes such as:
Δ biomass
Δ reserve
metabolic rate
ATP turnover
respiration
biosynthetic activity
Nonequilibrium steady-state rule
An active steady state does not mean nothing is happening.
It means:
inputs
≈
outputs
for selected measured variables over the chosen interval while continuous metabolic flux persists.
A living steady state is therefore fundamentally different from thermodynamic equilibrium.
State overlap
Different levels of the same organism may occupy different states.
For example:
- the organism may be losing total reserves;
- a healing tissue may be anabolic;
- reproductive tissue may be growing;
- adipose tissue may be catabolic.
The boundary from Part I determines which state is being reported.
Exclusion rule
This layer does not identify a permanent species trait or a developmental stage. It describes the current energetic regime.
70. Active steady-state
Acquisition approximately supports current maintenance and work.
71. Anabolic state
Net resources move into:
- growth
- repair
- reserve formation
- reproduction
72. Reserve-accumulation state
Δ E_reserves>0
73. Catabolic or deficit state
Δ E_reserves<0
Stored compounds or structural biomass are mobilized.
74. Metabolic suppression
- quiescence
- torpor
- hibernation
- estivation
- diapause
- seed dormancy
- spore dormancy
- microbial persistence
- cryptobiosis
75. Reactivation
- germination
- arousal
- emergence
- resumption of cell division
- rebuilding depleted gradients and macromolecular systems
Dormancy is not one uniform mechanism, but metabolic suppression is a common energetic feature: biosynthesis and activity decline while survival and maintenance are prioritized. (PubMed Central (PMC))