14 EXAMPLES OF CATABOLISM AND ANABOLISM IN LIVING THINGS - BIOLOGY - 2025

There are several examples of catabolism and anabolism in living things, such as digestion, photosynthesis, fermentation, or mitosis. Catabolism and anabolism are two chemical processes in cells that act in independent phases and that together form the metabolism of living beings.

Living beings need to obtain energy in order to live, this energy is obtained through a molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). In all energy transformation processes heat is generated, it is for this reason that all living beings give off heat.

Catabolism breaks molecules down into smaller units through a series of chemical reactions that release energy during this process.

Catabolism is responsible for creating the energy that anabolism needs for the synthesis of hormones, enzymes, sugars and other substances that produce cell growth, reproduction, and tissue repair.

Anabolism is the construction or reorganization of molecules through a series of chemical reactions, making them more complex. Normally during this process the use of energy is necessary.

List of examples of catabolism and anabolism

Examples of catabolism

1- digestion

By eating the body breaks down organic nutrients into components that are easier for the body to use. In this process, energy is released, which accumulates inside the body's ATP molecules. This stored energy is what is used for reactions in the anabolic phase.

2- Cellular respiration

Cellular respiration consists of the breakdown of large molecules of organic compounds (mainly glucose) into smaller ones, releasing the energy necessary to fuel cellular activities and to be able to produce ATP molecules.

In cellular respiration, sugars (glucose) are converted into ATP molecules. These ATP molecules are found in all living things.

3- Fermentation

It consists of a way of obtaining energy, in the absence of oxygen, which breaks down glucose. It is an incomplete oxidation process.

Muscle cells ferment lactic acid when they are low in oxygen. This happens, for example, after physical exercise.

This lactic acid produced in muscle cells is transported by the blood to the liver, where it is converted again and processed again in a normal way in cellular respiration.

4- Aerobic physical exercise

It is that exercise that consumes oxygen and burns calories and fat. These types of exercises would include: riding a bicycle, swimming, dancing or any physical activity whose duration is equal to or greater than 20 minutes with a moderate intensity.

The duration of physical activity is very important because after 20 minutes of activity, the body experiences changes in the use of glucose and glycogen that fat uses to maintain the body's energy needs.

The chemical reactions caused by catabolism provide the body with all the energy it needs for physical activity.

5- Krebs cycle

It is the final phase of oxidation, it is also known as the citric acid cycle. This process is present in each and every one of the cells of living beings. In this process of cellular respiration, proteins and fats are assimilated, transforming them into energy.

6- Degradation of nucleic acids

Nucleic acids - deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) - undergo continuous degradation processes, providing elements that are used for the synthesis of new nucleic acids. They can also be excreted outside.

7- Glycolysis

Also known as glycolysis, it is the process in which polysaccharides are broken down to glucose. It occurs after the digestion process and its main function is to provide energy to the cells.

Examples of anabolism

1- Photosynthesis

It is the process that plants, algae and some bacteria use to transform sunlight into chemical energy and thus manage to feed, grow and develop.

For photosynthesis to be carried out, chlorophyll is necessary, which is present in the leaves, since this is responsible for the absorption of adequate light so that it can be carried out.

Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color. It traps the sunlight along with carbon dioxide and transforms the sap from raw to processed, which is its food. In turn, plants produce oxygen and expel it through the leaves.

2- Protein synthesis

It is about building proteins from essential amino acids.

3- Synthesis of carbohydrates

The degeneration of sugars such as lactose and sucrose is transformed into obtaining glucose. All this process occurs through the stimulation of the insulin hormone.

4- Mitosis

It is the process by which a single cell is transformed into two identical cells, it is what is known as cell division. The main reason for mitosis is cell growth and replacing already worn cells.

This cell division is made up of 4 phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.

Many cells when they are in the adult phase cannot divide, such as neurons, muscle fibers or red blood cells.

5- Physical exercise to build muscle mass

To build muscle mass, muscles have to be exercised at a high intensity for a short duration, no more than two minutes.

The meaning of anaerobic is without air. This type of exercise improves muscle strength and increases the ability to move quickly.

Some of these types of exercise are: weight lifting, sprinting, or jumping rope.

6- Chemosynthesis

A process similar to photosynthesis with the difference that it does not use sunlight as an energy source. The process is based on converting carbon molecules and other nutrients into organic matter. For this it makes use of the oxidation of inorganic compounds.

7- Calvin cycle

It is a biochemical process that occurs in photosynthetic organisms. It consists of the formation of glucose molecules in the chloroplast of plant cells, being the way in which autotrophic organisms can incorporate inorganic matter.

Catabolism and anabolism: necessary hormones

Catabolic hormones

• Cortisol: the "stress hormone." Increases blood pressure and blood sugar, reducing immune response.
• Glucagon: Stimulates glycogen (carbohydrates stored in the liver, used as energy during physical activity) in the liver which causes a rise in blood sugar levels.
• Adrenaline: It increases the heartbeat and opens the bronchioles of the lung.
• Cytokines: They are responsible for communication between cells. They are produced by a response of the immune system.

Anabolic hormones

• Growth Hormone: Releases the hormone somatomedin, causing growth.
• Insulin: is responsible for regulating glucose levels in the blood.
• Testosterone: it is a male hormone that develops your sexual characteristics.
• Estrogen: it is a female hormone that develops your sexual characteristics.

References

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