Which term best describes the process by which nutrients are made available for use by the body?

The term that best describes the process by which nutrients are made available for use by the body is absorption. This process follows digestion, where food is broken down into smaller components such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Absorption occurs primarily in the small intestine, where these nutrients pass through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, nutrients can be transported to different cells and tissues in the body for energy, growth, and maintenance.

Metabolism refers to the entire range of biochemical processes that occur within the body, including both the breakdown of nutrients (catabolism) to release energy, and the use of those nutrients to build and repair tissues (anabolism). While metabolism involves the utilization of absorbed nutrients, it is a more comprehensive term that encompasses all chemical reactions related to energy and substance transformation in the body.

Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller components that can be absorbed. Although essential for nutrient availability, it is distinct from absorption as it involves the initial breakdown stage rather than the actual uptake of nutrients into the body.

Utilization refers to the way in which the body uses the absorbed nutrients once they are available. While closely related, it is not the process of making the nutrients available itself, but rather what