Catabolism
Catabolism is a process in which a cell breaks down complex molecules to produce energy and reducing power, it is therefore normally exothermic. It is half of the coupled process of metabolism, the other part being anabolism.
Carbohydrate catabolism
Main article: Carbohydrate catabolism
Carbohydrate catabolism is the breakdown of carbohydrates into smaller units. The empirical formula for carbohydrates, like that of their monomer counterparts, is CX(H2YOY). Carbohydrates literally undergo combustion to retrieve the large amounts of energy in their bonds. Read more about mitochondria to find out more about the reaction and how its energy is secured in ATP.
Fat catabolism
Main article: Fat catabolism
Fat catabolism, also known as lipid catabolism, is the process of lipids or phospholips being broken down by lipases. The opposite of this is fat anabolism which involves the storage of energy, and the building of membranes.
Protein catabolism
Main article: Protein catabolism
Protein catabolism is the breakdown of proteins into amino acids and simple derivative compounds, for transport into the cell through the plasma membrane and ultimately for the polymerisation into new proteins via the use of ribonucleic acids (RNA) and ribosomes.
