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Multiple Choice
Which term describes the process by which food is broken down into smaller, absorbable components in the digestive tract?
A
Assimilation
B
Digestion
C
Absorption
D
Excretion
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the key terms provided in the question. 'Assimilation' refers to the process by which nutrients are incorporated into the body's cells after absorption. 'Absorption' is the process of nutrients passing from the digestive tract into the bloodstream or lymph. 'Excretion' involves the removal of waste products from the body. 'Digestion' is the process of breaking down food into smaller, absorbable components.
Step 2: Focus on the question's requirement: identifying the term that describes the breakdown of food into smaller, absorbable components. This process occurs in the digestive tract and involves both mechanical and chemical actions.
Step 3: Recall the stages of digestion. Food is mechanically broken down by chewing and churning, and chemically broken down by enzymes and acids. This prepares nutrients for absorption into the bloodstream.
Step 4: Compare the definitions of the terms provided in the options. 'Digestion' specifically matches the description of breaking down food into absorbable components, while the other terms describe subsequent or unrelated processes.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct term describing the process of breaking down food into smaller, absorbable components in the digestive tract is 'Digestion'.