definitions

• Absorption:

  The movement of nutrients from the intestines into the blood
• Assimilation:

  The uptake and use of nutrients by cells
• Balanced diet:

  Diet that contains all the essential nutrients in the correct proportions to maintain good health
• Chemical digestion:

  The breakdown of large insoluble molecules into small soluble molecules
• Digestion:

  The breakdown of food
• Egestion:

  The passing out of food that has not been digested or absorbed, as faeces through the anus
• Ingestion:

  the taking of substances (e.g. food, drink) into the body through the mouth
• Physical digestion:

  the breakdown of food into smaller pieces without chemical change to the food molecules