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Glite Dictionary
destructive metabolism

destructive metabolism

5.4
The process that breaks down food and body tissue to release energy
  • noun
  • /dɪˈstrʌktɪv məˈtæbəlɪzəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : metabolismo destructivo
  • During periods of starvation, destructive metabolism accelerates to provide energy from stored body tissues.

Examples

  • The study examined how destructive metabolism contributes to muscle loss in elderly patients.

  • In plants, destructive metabolism occurs during the night.

  • Certain hormones regulate both constructive and destructive metabolism in the human body.

  • The process of destructive metabolism is vital for energy production.

  • During periods of starvation, destructive metabolism accelerates to provide energy from stored body tissues.

  • Certain hormones regulate both constructive and destructive metabolism in the human body.

  • The study examined how destructive metabolism contributes to muscle loss in elderly patients.

Synonyms

breakdown
vsdestructive metabolism
  • Specialized
19 4.1

A process in which a substance is broken into simpler parts by chemicals or living things

is limited to living organisms and includes energy release specifically
catabolism
vsdestructive metabolism
  • Specialized
1 8.1

The breaking down of complex substances into simpler ones that releases energy

is defined the same but differs only in name or spelling
katabolism
vsdestructive metabolism
  • Specialized
9.9

Breaking large chemicals in the body into small parts to release energy

is the same process but expressed with the other common spelling
dissimilation
vsdestructive metabolism
  • Archaic
9.7

Cells break down complex substances to release energy

is described as breaking substances down with definite energy release

Antonyms

anabolism
  • Specialized
8.7

Process that makes complex molecules from simple ones in living things using energy

Surface Forms

destructive metabolism singular
destructive metabolisms plural

Morphology

destructive + metabolism

The meaning is directly compositional: 'destructive' (causing breakdown/damage) modifies 'metabolism' (biological processes converting substances), so it denotes a type of metabolism that breaks down complex substances. This follows ordinary adjective+noun composition and is analogous to cross-linguistic terms for breakdown processes, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Destructive metabolism gives the image of the body breaking big substances into smaller parts to free energy. The word metabolism means the body's process of changing materials and destructive points to the 'breaking down' side, so the phrase means the process that breaks complex substances down to 'release energy'.