catabolize

American  

[kuh-tab-uh-lahyz] / kəˈtæb əˌlaɪz /

especially British, catabolise

verb (used with object)

catabolized, catabolizing

1. to cause (a nutrient or other substance) to undergo catabolism.

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verb (used without object)

catabolized, catabolizing

1. to be subjected to catabolism.

Etymology

Origin of catabolize

First recorded in 1925–30; catabol(ism) + -ize

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

catabolize catabolized catabolizing

Bile contains bile salts which emulsify lipids while the pancreas produces enzymes that catabolize starches, disaccharides, proteins, and fats.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

If the cell cannot catabolize the pyruvate molecules further, it will harvest only two ATP molecules from one molecule of glucose.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

The fats undoubtedly catabolize first by hydrolysis into glycerol and fatty acids, and then by oxidation possibly first into carbohydrates and then finally into the end-products of oxidation, namely, carbon dioxide and water.

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Thatcher, Roscoe Wilfred

Now, lysine is found in all sorts of organisms, and the way it's catabolized is pretty well-understood in animals.

From Salon ● Mar. 5, 2025

Ammonia is anaerobically catabolized by some prokaryotes, yielding N2 as the final product.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Ammonia is catabolized anaerobically by some prokaryotes, yielding N2 as the final product.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

The pyruvate produced can proceed to be catabolized or converted into the amino acid alanine.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

In the second example, ammonia is catabolized into its smaller components, and the potential energy that had been stored in its bonds is released.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Again, there is a fairly complicated series of reactions that involves factor XII and protein- catabolizing enzymes.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013