What is the term for the breakdown of nutrients in the body?

The breakdown of nutrients in the body is specifically referred to as catabolism. This process involves the chemical reactions that degrade complex molecules, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, into simpler molecules, which are then used for energy production or further metabolic processes. Catabolism is essential for generating ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the cell, and it plays a critical role in maintaining the body’s energy balance.

Metabolism encompasses both catabolism and anabolism; it includes all the biochemical reactions occurring within the body. While catabolism focuses on the breakdown aspect, anabolism refers to the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, which builds and repairs tissues. Therefore, metabolism is a broader term that includes both the breakdown and synthesis pathways, but it does not specifically define the breakdown alone.

Synthesis refers to the construction of larger, more complex molecules from smaller ones, which is the opposite of what catabolism represents. Thus, catabolism is the most precise term for the breakdown of nutrients.