catabolism
|ca-tab-o-lism|
C1
🇺🇸
/kəˈtæb.əˌlɪz.əm/
🇬🇧
/kəˈtæb.əl.ɪz.əm/
breaking down for energy
Etymology
Etymology Information
'catabolism' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'katabolē,' where 'kata-' meant 'down' and 'ballein' meant 'to throw.'
Historical Evolution
'katabolē' transformed into the modern English word 'catabolism' through scientific Latin.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to throw down,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'breaking down molecules for energy.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the set of metabolic pathways that break down molecules into smaller units to release energy.
Catabolism is essential for maintaining energy levels in the body.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/01 03:45