Catabolism vs. Metabolism — What's the Difference?

Catabolism () is the set of metabolic pathways that breaks down molecules into smaller units that are either oxidized to release energy or used in other anabolic reactions. Catabolism breaks down large molecules (such as polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins) into smaller units (such as monosaccharides, fatty acids, nucleotides, and amino acids, respectively).

Metabolism (, from Greek: μεταβολή metabolē, "change") is the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms. The three main purposes of metabolism are: the conversion of food to energy to run cellular processes; the conversion of food/fuel to building blocks for proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and some carbohydrates; and the elimination of metabolic wastes.

The breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form simpler ones, together with the release of energy; destructive metabolism.

The chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life. In metabolism some substances are broken down to yield energy for vital processes while other substances, necessary for life, are synthesized.

The metabolic breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, often resulting in a release of energy.

The processing of a specific substance within a living cell or organism

(biochemistry) Destructive metabolism, usually including the release of energy and breakdown of materials.

(physiology) The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.

The breakdown of more complex substances into simpler ones with release of energy, in living organisms; destructive or downward metabolism; - a form of metabolism, opposed to anabolism. See also Disassimilation.

The processes that maintain any dynamic system.

Breakdown of more complex substances into simpler ones with release of energy

The act or process, by which living tissues or cells take up and convert into their own proper substance the nutritive material brought to them by the blood, or by which they transform their cell protoplasm into simpler substances, which are fitted either for excretion or for some special purpose, as in the manufacture of the digestive enzymes. Hence, metabolism may be either constructive (anabolism), or destructive (catabolism).

The series of chemical changes which take place in an organism, by means of which food is manufactured and utilized and waste materials are eliminated.

The marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals

The organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for life