Anabolism

ANABOLISM (from Greek anabole- raising), anabolic phase of exchange, anabolic processes, processes of assimilation in the broadest sense of the word, leading to the construction of cellular material, to the creation of living substance. To A. belong, first of all, all processes of assimilation (see) and utilization of food. Together with catabolic processes (see Catabolism), anabolic processes constitute the totality of metabolism, exchange of substances (see). In chemical relation, anabolic processes represent predominantly synthetic processes, as well as reactions of polymerization and intramolecular rearrangements. The predominance of anabolic processes over catabolic ones leads to an increase in weight, growth, deposition of reserve substances, whereas the predominance of the catabolic phase of exchange is accompanied by exhaustion, loss of weight.