Which process involves the formation of complex molecules from simpler ones through condensation reactions?

The process that involves the formation of complex molecules from simpler ones through condensation reactions is anabolism. Anabolism encompasses various metabolic pathways that build complex structures such as proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides from smaller subunits like amino acids, nucleotides, and monosaccharides, respectively.

During condensation reactions (also known as dehydration synthesis), water is released as two smaller molecules are combined to form a larger, more complex molecule. This is crucial for growth and repair in organisms, as it enables the synthesis of macromolecules that are essential for cell structure and function.

By understanding anabolism, you can appreciate its role in the overall metabolism of an organism, which includes both the building up (anabolism) and breaking down (catabolism) of substances. Catabolism, in contrast, refers to the metabolic pathways that break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy in the process. Synthesis can refer more broadly to various types of creation of new compounds, while metabolism encapsulates the entirety of biochemical reactions in the body, including both anabolic and catabolic processes.