Anabolism
The set of metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units, requiring energy input. The opposite of catabolism (breaking down). Anabolism builds the complex molecules needed for growth and maintenance.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 2 chapters:
"...cade through your cells, all orchestrated with remarkable precision, all consuming and producing energy. Metabolism has two complementary halves: Anabolism is building up. It's synthesis, construction, growth. When your body builds muscle from protein, that's anabolism."
"Ribosomes churn out fresh proteins. Mitochondria bud and multiply. The cell builds, builds, builds - anabolism in overdrive. Damaged proteins accumulate in corners, but who cares? New production outpaces damage. Old mitochondria sputter and age, but fresh ones..."
Biological Context
Anabolic processes include protein synthesis, DNA replication, and building cell membranes. Anabolism requires energy (ATP) and raw materials. Growth phases are anabolism-dominant; starvation phases are catabolism-dominant.
Business Application
Corporate anabolism: hiring, building infrastructure, developing new products, expanding capacity. Peacetime is anabolic—building and investing. The best organizations oscillate appropriately between anabolic (growth) and catabolic (efficiency) modes based on conditions.