Which of the following correctly describes a family of metabolic processes?

The chosen answer is metabolism because it encompasses the complete set of biochemical processes that occur within a living organism, including all activities related to the conversion of food into energy, the synthesis of necessary compounds, and the breakdown of waste products. Metabolism is fundamentally divided into two major categories: anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism refers to the processes that build up molecules, such as protein synthesis and cellular growth, while catabolism deals with the breakdown of molecules to produce energy. Together, these processes work to maintain life and support physiological functions.

In this context, homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain equilibrium despite changes in the environment and is not a specific metabolic process. Anabolism and catabolism are parts of metabolism rather than a description of the whole family of processes, which is why the broad term "metabolism" is the correct choice here.