What is the process called where soluble food molecules are diffused into the bloodstream?

The process in which soluble food molecules are diffused into the bloodstream is known as absorption. This occurs primarily in the intestines following digestion, where larger food molecules are broken down into smaller, soluble forms like amino acids, sugars, and fatty acids.

During absorption, the small intestine's walls, which are lined with tiny projections called villi, facilitate the uptake of these nutrients into the bloodstream. Once in the blood, these nutrients can be transported throughout the body to be utilized by cells for energy, growth, and repair.

Digestion refers to the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller components, while metabolism encompasses the chemical processes that occur within cells to convert food into energy or build cellular structures. Assimilation is the process that occurs after absorption, where the absorbed nutrients are actually incorporated into the body’s tissues or used in metabolic reactions.