In metabolism, which process involves breaking down molecules?

Catabolism is the metabolic process that involves breaking down larger molecules into smaller units, often releasing energy in the process. This pathway is essential for energy production, as it allows the body to convert nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, into usable forms of energy. During catabolism, complex substances are degraded, facilitating various biological functions and providing the energy necessary for anabolic processes, which are responsible for building larger molecules from smaller ones.

In the context of metabolism, while all the other terms relate to biochemical processes, they do not specifically denote the breakdown of molecules. Anabolism refers to the synthesis of complex molecules, metabolism is a broad term that encompasses both catabolic and anabolic processes, and biotransformation generally refers to the chemical modification made by an organism on a chemical compound, largely in the context of drug metabolism rather than nutrient degradation.