nucleobase-containing compound metabolic process aromatic compound catabolic process nucleobase-containing compound catabolic process nucleobase, nucleoside, nucleotide and nucleic acid degradation nucleobase, nucleoside, nucleotide and nucleic acid breakdown nucleobase, nucleoside, nucleotide and nucleic acid catabolism The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of nucleobases, nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleic acids. GO:0034655 biological_process nucleobase, nucleoside, nucleotide and nucleic acid catabolic process cellular nitrogen compound catabolic process heterocycle catabolic process organic cyclic compound catabolic process