What process describes how our bodies break down food into smaller molecules?

The process that describes how our bodies break down food into smaller molecules is digestion. Digestion encompasses both mechanical and chemical processes that transform the food we consume into smaller, absorbable units.

During digestion, food is first physically broken down in the mouth through chewing and then further processed in the stomach and small intestine by various enzymes that chemically break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into their smaller constituent molecules. This is essential because the body cannot absorb large food particles; it must be able to assimilate these small molecules, such as amino acids from proteins, simple sugars from carbohydrates, and fatty acids from fats, which can then be used for energy, growth, and cellular repair.

In contrast, absorption refers to the process that occurs after digestion, where these smaller molecules are taken up into the bloodstream from the digestive tract. Ingestion refers to the act of taking food into the mouth. Metabolism is a broader term that includes digestion but also includes all chemical reactions in the body that convert food into energy and building blocks for cellular processes. Thus, digestion is the specific term for the breakdown of food into smaller molecules.