What is the biochemical process called that involves breaking down macronutrients for energy?

The biochemical process of breaking down macronutrients for energy is referred to as metabolism. However, metabolism encompasses two broad categories: catabolism and anabolism.

Catabolism specifically refers to the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, which releases energy. For instance, when carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are broken down during cellular respiration, they release energy that the body can use for various functions.

While digestion is a critical process that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract where food is broken down into absorbable units, it does not directly refer to the biochemical transformation and energy release that occurs within cells.

Anabolism, on the other hand, is the process of building up molecules from smaller units, which requires energy and is essentially the opposite of catabolism.

In summary, while metabolism broadly refers to all chemical reactions in the body, the specific process of breaking down macronutrients for energy is categorized as catabolism.