catabolite
Definition
Noun: A catabolite is a substance that is produced as a result of catabolism, which is the metabolic process in which complex molecules are broken down into simpler ones to release energy.
Usage Examples
- (By-products of breakdown processes.)
- (Specific breakdown products in metabolism.)
Advanced Usage
- "Catabolite repression": a regulatory mechanism in which the presence of a preferred catabolite (e.g., glucose) inhibits the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of alternative substrates.
- In bacteria, catabolite repression ensures that glucose is used first before other sugars. (A control process involving catabolites.)
Variants and Related Words
Catabolic (adj): relating to or involving catabolism.
- The catabolic pathway generates energy from molecules. (The breakdown process.)
Catabolism (n): the set of metabolic pathways that break down molecules into smaller units.
- Catabolism releases energy that the cell can use. (The overall breakdown process.)
Synonyms
- Breakdown product: a compound resulting from the decomposition of a larger molecule.
- Metabolite: a substance involved in or produced by metabolism (a broader term that includes catabolites).
Related Idioms
- (No common idioms exist for this technical term.)
Phrasal Verbs
- (No phrasal verbs apply to 'catabolite'.)