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Catabolism
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Diagram of the eight-step tricarboxylic acid cycle showing the sequence of metabolites from acetyl CoA through citrate, isocitrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, succinyl CoA, succinate, fumarate, malate, and oxaloacetate, with arrows indicating the flow of reactions and production of ATP, NADH, FADH2, and CO2. Diagram illustrating metabolism with two sections: anabolic reaction on the left shows energy used to build larger molecules from smaller ones, while catabolic reaction on the right shows larger molecules breaking down into smaller molecules with energy released. A biochemical pathway diagram showing the catabolism and biosynthesis of glucose and glycogen, with glucose breakdown reactions on the left and synthesis reactions on the right, interconnected by labeled arrows and chemical intermediates. A metabolic pathway diagram for Escherichia coli showing how various nutrients-including sugars, fats, glycerol, and amino acids-are broken down into intermediates like pyruvate and acetyl-CoA, leading to the production of energy and other metabolites such as lactate, glutamate, and succinate. Arrows indicate the flow of metabolites between compounds, with key nutrient sources and products highlighted in colored boxes.
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Muscles of facial expression, human anatomy, (Netter replacement project - SSC). Human face, human head.
Characteristics of the Human Body

Catabolism: References & Edit History

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Article title updated for style. Nov 11, 2026
Modified link of Web site: Healthline - Catabolism vs. Anabolism: What’s the Difference? Apr 08, 2026
Add new Web site: Healthline - Catabolism vs. Anabolism: What’s the Difference? Jul 12, 2019
Corrected display issue. Jun 01, 2018
Added an illustration of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Jun 01, 2018
Added new Web site: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Amino Acid Catabolism. Aug 03, 2007
Added new Web site: Jlindquist.net - Catabolism. Aug 03, 2007
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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