Anabolism is the metabolic process that builds larger molecules from smaller ones. One way of categorizing metabolic processes, whether at the cellular, organ or organism level is as 'anabolic' or 'catabolic', which is the opposite. To put it another way, anabolic processes use up energy (endergonic) while catabolic processes produce energy (exergonic). Anabolism is powered by catabolism, where large molecules are broken down into smaller parts and then used up in respiration. Many anabolic processes are powered by adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Santorio Santorio (1561-1636) in his steelyard balance, from Ars de statica medecina, first published 1614 Metabolism (from μεταβολισμος(metavallo), the Greek word for change), in the most general sense, is the ingestion and breakdown of complex compounds, coupled... In science, a molecule is the smallest particle of a pure chemical substance that still retains its chemical composition and properties. ... Santorio Santorio (1561-1636) in his steelyard balance, from Ars de statica medecina, first published 1614 Metabolism (from μεταβολισμος(metavallo), the Greek word for change), in the most general sense, is the ingestion and breakdown of complex compounds, coupled... Drawing of the structure of cork as it appeared under the microscope to Robert Hooke from Micrographia which is the origin of the word cell. Cells in culture, stained for keratin (red) and DNA (green). ... Anabolism is the aspect of metabolism that contributes to growth. ... Respiration is a term used in both organismal biology and biochemistry, and may refer to: Respiration, the process by which an organism obtains energy by reacting oxygen with glucose to give water, carbon dioxide and energy. ... Adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP), discovered in 1929 by Karl Lohmann,[1] is a multifunctional nucleotide primarily known in biochemistry as the molecular currency of intracellular energy transfer. ...

Anabolic processes tend toward "building up" organs and tissues. These processes produce growth and differentiation of cells and increase in body size, a process that involves synthesis of complex molecules. Examples of anabolic processes include growth and mineralization of bone and increase of muscle mass. In chemistry, chemical synthesis is purposeful execution of chemical reactions in order to get a product, or several products. ... In chemistry, a molecule is an aggregate of two or more atoms in a definite arrangement held together by chemical bonds [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. Chemical substances are not infinitely divisible into smaller fractions of the same substance: a molecule is generally considered the smallest particle of a pure... Grays Anatomy illustration of a human femur. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Muscular system. ...

Because it is counterproductive to have anabolic and catabolic processes occurring in cells simultaneously, there are many signals that switch on anabolic processes while switching off catabolic processes and vice versa. Most of the known signals are hormones and the molecules involved in metabolism itself. Endocrinologists have traditionally classified many of the hormones as anabolic or catabolic. A hormone (from Greek horman - to set in motion) is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. ... Endocrinology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the endocrine system and its specific secretions called hormones. ...

[edit] Classic anabolic hormones

• Growth hormone
• IGF1 and other insulin-like growth factors
• Insulin
• Testosterone
• Estrogen

Newer hormones associated with pooping the balance of the catabolic and anabolic states include Growth hormone Growth hormone (GH or somatotropin) is a polypeptide hormone synthesised and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland which stimulates growth and cell reproduction in humans and other vertebrate animals. ... Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a protein hormone similar in molecular structure to insulin. ... The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are polypeptides with high sequence similarity to insulin. ... Insulin (from Latin insula, island, as it is produced in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas) is a polypeptide hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism. ... Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group. ... Estriol. ...

• Orexin and Hypocretin (a hormone pair)
• Melatonin

Orexins, also called hypocretins, are the common names given to a pair of highly excitatory neuropeptide hormones that were simultaneously discovered by two groups of reseachers in rat brains. ... Orexins, also called hypocretins, are the common names given to a pair of highly excititory neuropeptide hormones that were simultaneously discovered by two groups of reseachers in rat brains. ... Melatonin, 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine, is a hormone found in all living creatures from algae[1] to humans, at levels that vary in a diurnal cycle. ...

[edit] See also

• Cell metabolism
• Anabolic steroid