Final answer:
Anabolic reactions involve the use of energy to synthesize more complex compounds from simpler starting materials, building larger molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. They contrast catabolic reactions, which break down complex molecules to release energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anabolic reactions, or biosynthetic reactions, lead to the synthesis of more complex compounds from simpler starting materials. These reactions use energy, often in the form of ATP, to build larger molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides. For example, the synthesis of new, larger molecules from smaller ones, like the formation of bromoethane from ethene and hydrogen bromide, is a fundamental chemical process that is key to the growth and maintenance of cells. Anabolic reactions are part of the metabolism that build bone, muscle mass, and are necessary for the body to create new proteins and nucleic acids.
On the other hand, catabolic reactions are the opposite, breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy in the process. These reactions are crucial for generating the energy required to drive anabolic reactions and other cellular processes. For instance, beta (B)-oxidation, a type of catabolic reaction, is involved in the breakdown of fatty acids to produce energy.