catabolism
Cellular energy release
Catabolism is the set of metabolic processes that break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy in the process.
The body catabolizes food—proteins, fats, carbohydrates—to fuel cellular activity.
Catabolism is the opposite of anabolism, which builds complex molecules from simpler ones; together they constitute metabolism.
Cell's energy molecule
- bioenergeticsStudy of biological energy
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- NADHElectron-carrying coenzyme
- cellular respirationCell-level fuel burning
oxidation · thermogenesis · calorie · fuel · combustion · aerobic · anaerobic · cytochrome
Metabolic construction of molecules
- proteolysisEnzymatic protein breakdown
- lipolysisMetabolic fat decomposition
- glycolysisGlucose metabolism producing ATP
- citric acid cycleAerobic respiration's central pathway
ketosis · ketogenesis · autophagy · beta-oxidation · pyruvate · acetyl-CoA · enzymatic · digestive enzymes
Deliberate food avoidance
- starvationExtreme nutritional deprivation
- caloric deficitIntake below expenditure
- muscle wastingLoss of tissue mass
- muscle atrophyShrinkage from disuse
glucocorticoids · cortisol · cachexia · weight loss · overtraining · illness · recovery
Nitrogenous metabolic waste compound
- ammoniaAcrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
- uric acidNitrogenous purine metabolite
- creatinineMuscular metabolism waste compound
- bilirubinHemoglobin degradation byproduct
excretion · carbon dioxide · lactate · ketone bodies · byproduct
Digestive organelle in cells
- endosomeMembrane sac for internalized cargo
- vacuoleCell's storage compartment
- phagocytosisCellular ingestion of particles
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
ATP
Cell's energy molecule
- bioenergeticsStudy of biological energy
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- NADHElectron-carrying coenzyme
cellular respiration · oxidation · thermogenesis · calorie · fuel · combustion · aerobic · anaerobic · cytochrome
anabolism
Metabolic construction of molecules
- proteolysisEnzymatic protein breakdown
- lipolysisMetabolic fat decomposition
- glycolysisGlucose metabolism producing ATP
citric acid cycle · ketosis · ketogenesis · autophagy · beta-oxidation · pyruvate · acetyl-CoA · enzymatic · digestive enzymes · hydrolysis
fasting
Deliberate food avoidance
- starvationExtreme nutritional deprivation
- caloric deficitIntake below expenditure
- muscle wastingLoss of tissue mass
muscle atrophy · glucocorticoids · cortisol · cachexia · weight loss · overtraining · illness · recovery
urea
Nitrogenous metabolic waste compound
- ammoniaAcrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
- uric acidNitrogenous purine metabolite
- creatinineMuscular metabolism waste compound
bilirubin · excretion · carbon dioxide · lactate · ketone bodies · byproduct
lysosome
Digestive organelle in cells
- endosomeMembrane sac for internalized cargo
- vacuoleCell's storage compartment
- phagocytosisCellular ingestion of particles
- decayrot, decay rate, wilt, crumble, decomposition
- metabolismanabolism, glycolysis, citric acid cycle, BMR, aerobic respiration
- wastingsquandering, frittering, splurging, overspending, misusing
- biochemistryenzymes, proteins, biochemistry, protein, enzyme
- chemical breakdowndecomposition, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, combustion, photolysis
- Microbial metabolismaerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration, fermentation, glycolysis, citric acid cycle
catabolismanabolism
Metabolic construction of molecules
biosynthesis · synthesis · assimilation · building up · polymerization