Catabolism
Catabolism
Catabolism (/kəˈtæbəlɪzəm/, from Greek κάτω kato, "downward" and βάλλειν ballein, "to throw") is the set of metabolic pathways that breaks down molecules into smaller units to release energy.
Etymology
The term "catabolism" is derived from the Greek words "kato," which means "downward," and "ballein," which means "to throw." This reflects the process of breaking down larger molecules into smaller ones.
Process
In catabolism, large molecules such as polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins are broken down into smaller units such as monosaccharides, fatty acids, nucleotides, and amino acids, respectively. This process releases energy that the body can use for other functions.
Types of Catabolism
There are three main types of catabolism:
- Glycolysis: The breakdown of glucose by enzymes, releasing energy and pyruvic acid.
- Beta-oxidation: The catabolic process by which fatty acid molecules are broken down in the mitochondria to generate acetyl-coA, which enters the citric acid cycle, and NADH and FADH2, which are co-enzymes used in the electron transport chain.
- Proteolysis: The breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or amino acids.
Related Terms
- Anabolism: The set of metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units. These reactions require energy.
- Metabolism: The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms. It is divided into two categories: catabolism and anabolism.
- Enzyme: Proteins that act as biological catalysts. They speed up chemical reactions in the body.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Catabolism
- Wikipedia's article - Catabolism
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