Metabolic P systems, shortly MP systems, are a special class of P systems, introduced for expressing biological metabolism. Their dynamics is computed by metabolic algorithms which transform populations of objects according to a mass partition principle, based on suitable generalizations of chemical laws. The basic principles of MP systems are discussed and Psim, a simulation tool we developed in this context to discretely compute systems dynamics, is highlighted in its basic features. A concrete example is reported as well including a real simulation experiment by means of Psim.