Absorption is the process by which nutrient molecules pass into your blood. Which term best describes this process?

Absorption is the process by which nutrient molecules pass into your blood. Which term best describes this process?

• A. Digestion
• B. Excretion
• C. Absorption
• D. Ingestion

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is the uptake of digested nutrients into the bloodstream. After digestion breaks down food into small molecules like glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids, these nutrients cross the lining of the small intestine and enter the blood (and fats also enter the lymph). This uptake is what absorption describes. In contrast, digestion is the breakdown of food into smaller molecules, ingestion is simply taking food into the mouth, and excretion is the elimination of wastes from the body. Since the question defines absorption as the process by which nutrient molecules pass into the blood, this term fits best.

The main idea here is the uptake of digested nutrients into the bloodstream. After digestion breaks down food into small molecules like glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids, these nutrients cross the lining of the small intestine and enter the blood (and fats also enter the lymph). This uptake is what absorption describes.

In contrast, digestion is the breakdown of food into smaller molecules, ingestion is simply taking food into the mouth, and excretion is the elimination of wastes from the body. Since the question defines absorption as the process by which nutrient molecules pass into the blood, this term fits best.