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catabolism vs. anabolism

catabolism

[kuh-tab-uh-liz-uhm] / kəˈtæb əˌlɪz əm /

noun

Biology, Physiology.

destructive metabolism; the breaking down in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones, with the release of energy (anabolism ).

anabolism

[uh-nab-uh-liz-uhm] / əˈnæb əˌlɪz əm /

Biology, Physiology.

constructive metabolism; the synthesis in living organisms of more complex substances from simpler ones (catabolism ).