Which process involves the transformation of energy into a more useful form?

Metabolism is the correct answer because it encompasses all the biochemical reactions that occur within an organism to maintain life. These reactions can be divided into two categories: catabolism, which breaks down molecules to release energy, and anabolism, which uses that energy to construct components of cells and tissues. The energy derived from food is converted into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the primary energy currency of the cell, allowing the organism to perform vital functions such as growth, reproduction, and response to environmental stimuli.

In contrast, biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat, which doesn’t directly involve energy transformation. Homeostasis involves maintaining stable internal conditions within an organism but does not specifically describe the process of energy conversion. Symbiosis is a type of biological interaction between different species and does not pertain to energy transformation processes. Thus, metabolism specifically captures the essence of transforming energy into a more usable form for the organism's biological needs.