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catabolism definition

ca·tabo·lism (kə tab′ə liz′əm)

noun

the process in a plant or animal by which living tissue is changed into energy and waste products of a simpler chemical composition; destructive metabolism

Etymology: < cata- + Gr bolē, a throw < ballein, to throw (see ball) + -ism

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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