catabolic
Metabolically breaking apart
Catabolic describes metabolic processes that break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy in the process.
It is the opposite of anabolic, which refers to building up.
When your body digests food or burns fat for fuel, those are catabolic processes.
Intense exercise triggers catabolic reactions as the body breaks down stored glycogen for energy.
The noun form is catabolism.
Enzymatic protein breakdown
- lipolysisMetabolic fat decomposition
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- autophagyCellular self-degradation process
- lysosomeDigestive organelle in cells
degradation · oxidation · depolymerization · digestion · cleavage · fragmentation · decomposition · disassembly
Severe illness-induced wasting
- muscle wastingLoss of tissue mass
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- wasting syndromePathological progressive tissue loss
- malnutritionDisease from dietary inadequacy
starvation · anorexia · emaciation · frailty · muscle breakdown · debilitation
Glucose metabolism producing ATP
- citric acid cycleAerobic respiration's central pathway
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
acetyl-CoA · NADH · pyruvate · bioenergetics · cellular respiration · deamination · transamination · metabolite
Adrenal steroid regulating stress
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- epinephrineAdrenal stress hormone
- glucagonPancreatic blood-sugar raiser
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
thyroid hormone · stress hormones · catecholamines · fight-or-flight
Deliberate food avoidance
- caloric deficitIntake below expenditure
- ketosisFat metabolism producing ketones
- intermittent fastingScheduled cycles of eating and abstaining
Metabolic production of warmth
- aerobic respirationOxygen-using energy production
- anaerobic respirationOxygen-free energy extraction
- cellular energyPower for cell functions
- oxidativeInvolving electron removal
proteolysis
Enzymatic protein breakdown
- lipolysisMetabolic fat decomposition
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- autophagyCellular self-degradation process
lysosome · degradation · oxidation · depolymerization · digestion · cleavage · fragmentation · decomposition · disassembly · enzyme action
cachexia
Severe illness-induced wasting
- muscle wastingLoss of tissue mass
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- wasting syndromePathological progressive tissue loss
malnutrition · starvation · anorexia · emaciation · frailty · muscle breakdown · debilitation
glycolysis
Glucose metabolism producing ATP
- citric acid cycleAerobic respiration's central pathway
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
mitochondria · acetyl-CoA · NADH · pyruvate · bioenergetics · cellular respiration · deamination · transamination · metabolite
cortisol
Adrenal steroid regulating stress
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- epinephrineAdrenal stress hormone
- glucagonPancreatic blood-sugar raiser
norepinephrine · thyroid hormone · stress hormones · catecholamines · fight-or-flight
fasting
Deliberate food avoidance
- caloric deficitIntake below expenditure
- ketosisFat metabolism producing ketones
- intermittent fastingScheduled cycles of eating and abstaining
thermogenesis
Metabolic production of warmth
- aerobic respirationOxygen-using energy production
- anaerobic respirationOxygen-free energy extraction
- cellular energyPower for cell functions
- metabolismanabolism, glycolysis, citric acid cycle, BMR, aerobic respiration
- bodybuildingbodybuilding, muscle, bodybuilders, Mr. Olympia, posing
- cell termscellular, cytoplasmic, nuclear, mitotic, eukaryotic
- gland descriptorsadrenal, endocrine, exocrine, hormonal, mammary
catabolicanabolic
Building complex molecules
biosynthetic · synthetic · building up · anabolism · metabolic