What is the difference between catabolic and anabolic reactions? Give an example of a catabolic reaction you have studied.

In biology catabolic reactions are biochemical reactions during which an organic molecule is broken down. This process is usually involved in the production of energy. In contrast, anabolic reactions are biochemical reactions during which a new molecule is formed (this can also be known as biosynthesis), and are often seen in production of DNA, RNA, peptides, proteins etc. To make this easier to remember CATabolic reactions can be looked at as CATastrophic- associated with things breaking down. Then anabolic is the oposite of that, and associated with synthesis.
A common example of a catabolic reaction, or rather a series of catabolic reactions, is Krebs cycle, a reaction cycle during which organisms produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a common energy source for a lot intracellular processes.