Anabolism vs. Catabolism
Main DifferenceMetabolism is the phenomena that refer towards all the life-sustaining chemical reactions that keep on conducting inside the cells of an organism. Metabolism is the process that defines basic energy division and source that depicts the energy intake and release inside and outside the body of organisms. Anabolism and Catabolism are two different phases of metabolism which are carried out simultaneously inside the body completing the metabolism phenomena. Catabolism or catabolic reactions are the kind of reaction that depict breakdown of large molecules into smaller ones with the release of energy. That energy is then used in Anabolism or Anabolic reactions which depict construction and building of large molecules from smaller units. Anabolism refers to the growth and building up phenomena whereas catabolism refers to break down of food via digestion and attaining energy for other body activities.Metabolism is the phenomena that refer towards all the life-sustaining chemical reactions that keep on conducting inside the cells of an organism. Metabolism is the process that defines basic energy division and source that depicts the energy intake and release inside and outside the body of organisms. Anabolism and Catabolism are two different phases of metabolism which are carried out simultaneously inside the body completing the metabolism phenomena. Catabolism or catabolic reactions are the kind of reaction that depict breakdown of large molecules into smaller ones with the release of energy. That energy is then used in Anabolism or Anabolic reactions which depict construction and building of large molecules from smaller units. Anabolism refers to the growth and building up phenomena whereas catabolism refers to break down of food via digestion and attaining energy for other body activities.

Difference Between Anabolism and Catabolism
Anabolism vs. Catabolism
Anabolism is a constructing phase of metabolism that involves makeup of larger molecules from smaller units consuming energy.
Anabolism vs. Catabolism
Catabolism breaks down phase of metabolism that involves breakdown of larger molecules into smaller units releasing energy.
Anabolism vs. Catabolism
Anabolism requires
Anabolism vs. Catabolism
Catabolism releases energy.
Anabolism vs. Catabolism
Both these process works simultaneously together inside the cells of the living organisms.
Anabolismnoun
The constructive metabolism of the body, as distinguished from catabolism.
Catabolismnoun
(biochemistry) Destructive metabolism, usually including the release of energy and breakdown of materials.
Anabolismnoun
synthesis of more complex substances from simpler ones
Catabolismnoun
breakdown of more complex substances into simpler ones with release of energy
Comparison Chart
Anabolism | Catabolism |
Anabolism is a metabolism phase that involves building up of large molecules with the combination of smaller units with the help of energy released by catabolism. | Catabolism is metabolism phase that involves the breakdown of large molecules into smaller units and releasing energy. |
Hormones Involved | |
Insulin, testosterone, growth hormone, Estrogen, etc. | Glucagon, cortisol, cytokines, adrenaline, etc. |
Energy | |
Anabolism requires energy as it is involved in combining, constructing and building. | Catabolism releases a large amount of energy as it is associated with a breakdown. |
Natural Phenomena | |
Getting energy from food and building muscles, gaining mass is the clear phenomena that depict Anabolism. | Digestion is the most common and natural phenomena that depict the catabolism. |
Exercising Effect | |
Anabolic exercises are anaerobic in nature and are carried out for building up muscles and gaining mass. | Catabolic exercises are aerobic in nature are carried out for losing body fat, burn calories and reduce weight. |
Common Examples | |
Glucose is becoming glycogen, amino acids becoming proteins, etc. | Proteins are becoming amino acids, proteins becoming glucose, glucose becoming glycogen, etc. |
What is Anabolism?
Anabolism is a phase of metabolism that is carried out inside the body cells of living organisms for sustainability of life living organism. Anabolism or anabolic reaction are kind of buildup reaction that involves the construction of large molecules with the help of a combination of smaller units using energy. The energy is required in the anabolism phenomena. The energy that is utilized by anabolism is released by Catabolism, the other phase of metabolism. It is the building up phase of metabolism in which the body utilizes the energy that is attained by the breakdown of food to carry out daily routine life activities and reactions. Anabolic is kind of construction phenomena that uses energy that is attained from catabolism.
What is Catabolism?
Catabolism is the other of the two phases of metabolism that involves breakdown of larger molecules into smaller units for attaining energy. A Larger amount of energy is released by catabolic reactions which are then utilized by anabolic reactions for carrying out other body activities and reactions that involve the process of growing, healing, building and constructing up. Breakdown of food via digestion process and attaining energy for the body activities is a clear cut demonstration of catabolism and catabolic reaction. Proteins, when consumed as food, are break down into smaller units of amino acids, and the energy is released, protein is also broken down into glucose, glycogen further breaks down releasing energy becoming glucose. All the larger molecules are break down into smaller units releasing energy that is required by anabolism for the building up purpose.