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Cellular Energy Plasticity

Meaning

Cellular energy plasticity describes the dynamic capacity of a cell, particularly its mitochondria, to rapidly and efficiently switch between different metabolic substrates—such as glucose, fatty acids, or ketone bodies—to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This metabolic flexibility is a critical indicator of cellular health and resilience, allowing cells to adapt seamlessly to fluctuating energy demands or nutrient availability. Impaired plasticity is a recognized hallmark of many chronic metabolic diseases and age-related dysfunction, negatively impacting hormonal signaling.