What type of metabolic pathway builds large molecules from smaller ones?

The correct answer describes an anabolic pathway, which is a type of metabolic process that synthesizes larger, complex molecules from smaller, simpler ones. This pathway is essential for various biological functions, as it allows organisms to create the macromolecules necessary for growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues.

Anabolic reactions typically require energy, usually derived from ATP, to drive the synthesis of molecules such as proteins from amino acids, nucleic acids from nucleotides, and polysaccharides from monosaccharides. This building-up process plays a crucial role in metabolism by forming the biomolecules that are vital for cellular structure and function.

In contrast, a catabolic pathway breaks down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy in the process, which is not what occurs in an anabolic pathway. The term "metabolic pathway" is too broad and does not specify the directionality of the reactions involved. Lastly, a cyclic pathway refers to a specific kind of metabolic cycle, such as the citric acid cycle, and is not directly descriptive of the building-up process that defines anabolic pathways.