Catabolic and Anabolic Pathways

A metabolic pathway diagram comparing catabolic and anabolic processes shows how the body balances breakdown and building. Catabolic pathways are illustrated breaking large molecules into smaller units while releasing energy, whereas anabolic pathways use that energy to construct complex molecules such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Arrows and color coding often distinguish energy-producing reactions from energy-consuming ones. This visual helps clarify how metabolism is not a single process but a coordinated network that responds to nutritional state, hormones, and cellular needs. By placing both pathways side by side, the diagram reinforces how growth, repair, and energy production depend on careful regulation.