Answer:
to produce energy for use by the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Catabolism can be defined as a metabolic process which typically involves the breaking down of complex molecules (inorganic and organic) into smaller and simpler molecules. This metabolic process (catabolism) is always accompanied with the release of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ADP).
Some examples of the complex molecules broken down through catabolism are proteins, nucleic acid, polysaccharides, and lipids; which are broken into the following smaller molecules, amino acids, nucleotides, monosaccharides, and fatty acids respectively.
Hence, the main purpose of catabolism in living organisms such as humans, animals and plants is to produce energy for use by the body.