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Catabolic reactions give out energy. They are exergonic. In a catabolic reaction large molecules are broken down into smaller ones. For example, the reverse of the condensation reactions described above, i.e. hydrolysis reactions, are catabolic.
Another one that is quite common is the conversion of glucose to water and carbon dioxide during the process of respiration. The opposite of catabolic reactions are anabolic reactions. They take energy because smaller molecules are building up to create large ones.