Question

Metabolism can be broken down into two types of processes: those which are anabolic and those which are catabolic. What is meant by these terms? What are the 3 small molecules products of every catabolic process?

Answer 1

Metabolism is the sum total biochemical reactions that occur in living organisms.Metabolism maintains the living condition and help in growth and reproduction of a living organism. Metabolism helps in maintaining the structure of an organism

Metabolism can be broadly classified into two, Anabolism and Catabolism.

Anabolic process involves the building up of larger molecules from the smaller molecules required by cell.Anabolism stores energy in larger molecules.Examples of anabolism include synthesis of protein from amino acids, glycogen from glucose, triglyceride synthesis from fatty acids, DNA synthesis and photosynthesis etc.

Catabolic process involves the break down of larger organic molecules into smaller molecules and release energy of stored energy.Examples of catabolism include break down of protein to amino acid, break down of glycogen into glucose, break down of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycolysis etc.

Anabolism is for storing the energy and catabolism is for releasing the energy when required.

Carbon dioxide, water and ammonia molecules are often the end products of catabolic process.