Which of the following is the correct definition for the term metabolism?

A. Process through which a medication is broken down into useful and inactive compounds is correct because metabolism refers to the biochemical alteration of a drug within the body. Most metabolism occurs in the liver, where enzymes convert medications into metabolites that may be active, partially active, or inactive. This process prepares the drug for elimination and determines how long it remains effective in the body. B. Movement of a medication to targeted areas and organs is incorrect because this describes distribution, not metabolism. Distribution refers to how a drug travels through the bloodstream to tissues, organs, and receptors after it is absorbed. C. Change to a different unit of measure is incorrect because this describes conversion, not a pharmacokinetic process. Changing units (e.g., mg to g) is unrelated to how the body processes medications. D. Process by which the body eliminates waste products following medication metabolism is incorrect because this refers to excretion, not metabolism. Excretion involves the removal of drug metabolites from the body through the kidneys, liver, lungs, skin, or gastrointestinal tract.