Dark metabolism is a term used to describe the processes that occur in organisms when they are not exposed to light. However, there are several other synonyms for this term, each with its own unique definition. For example, some may refer to dark metabolism as anaerobic respiration, which is the process by which organisms break down glucose without oxygen. Others may use the term fermentation to describe the metabolic processes that occur in the absence of oxygen. Finally, some may use the term catabolism, which refers to the breakdown of organic matter into simpler molecules. Despite their different meanings, each of these terms is related to the idea of dark metabolism and helps to paint a more complete picture of how organisms survive in the absence of light.