me·tab·o·lize 
(mĭ-tăbə-līz′)
(mĭ-tăbə-līz′)v. me·tab·o·lized, me·tab·o·liz·ing, me·tab·o·liz·es
v.tr.
To subject (a substance) to metabolism: a drug that cats and dogs metabolize differently.
v.intr.
1. To perform metabolism: observed that the cells had stopped metabolizing.
2. To undergo change by metabolism: a compound that metabolizes in the liver.
me·tabo·liz′a·ble adj.