What process does the body use to break down food for absorption?

The process by which the body breaks down food for absorption is known as mechanical and chemical digestion. Mechanical digestion refers to the physical processes that break food into smaller pieces, such as chewing in the mouth and the churning action of the stomach. This prepares the food for chemical digestion, which involves enzymes and acids that further break down the food at a molecular level, allowing nutrients to be absorbed in the intestines.

The importance of mechanical and chemical digestion lies in its efficiency to transform complex food into simpler molecules. This breakdown is essential for the body to extract and utilize the nutrients found in food. Once digestion occurs, these nutrients are then absorbed through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream, where they can be transported to various cells in the body for use.

While other processes like absorption and elimination are critical parts of the overall digestion process, they follow after the food has already been broken down. Similarly, evaporation and condensation, as well as filtration and secretion, do not directly relate to the digestion of food.