Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

What does absorption refer to in nutritional science?

1. The elimination of unused nutrients from the body

2. The process where nutrients pass into the circulatory system

3. The breakdown of food by enzymes

4. The digestion of proteins in the stomach

The correct answer is: The process where nutrients pass into the circulatory system

Absorption in nutritional science specifically refers to the process whereby nutrients from digested food cross the intestinal barrier and enter the circulatory system. This is a crucial step after digestion, which is the breakdown of food into smaller components that the body can use. Once nutrients are absorbed, they become available to the body's cells for energy, growth, and repair, allowing the body to utilize the food consumed effectively. This process predominantly occurs in the small intestine, where various nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals are taken up by the intestinal lining and then transported into the bloodstream. Hence, the definition of absorption focuses on the transfer of these nutrients rather than their breakdown or elimination, solidifying why this choice is identified as the correct answer.