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

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Metabolism \Me*tab"o*lism\, n. (Physiol.) 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 ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. breakdown of more complex substances into simpler ones with release of energy [syn: katabolism , dissimilation , destructive metabolism ] [ant: anabolism ]

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1876, katabolism , "destructive metabolism," from Greek katabole "a throwing down" (also "a foundation"), from kataballein "to throw down," from kata- "down" (see cata- ) + ballein "to throw" (see ballistics ). Barnhart says probably formed in English on ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. (context biochemistry English) destructive metabolism, usually including the release of energy and breakdown of materials

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Catabolism (from Greek κάτω kato , "downward" and βάλλειν ballein , "to throw") 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 ...