Question

What is the term for when a substance breaks down into several others?

Answer 1

Catabolism complex molecules break into simpler ones

Answer 2

Answer:

When a substance breaks down or when something breaks it down, a biological or chemical process causes it to separate into the substances which make it up.

The most common process is called catabolism.

In this process complex chemical molecules are broken down.  

This process is known for releasing energy in the dorm of ATP.

Other processes that break down chemical substances into simpler substances, include depolymerization, decomposition, etc.