Wisconsin CNA State Exam Vocabulary Practice

What term refers to the process of preparing food physically and chemically so that it can be absorbed into the cells?

1. Diet

2. Digestion

3. Dialysis

4. Dilate

The correct answer is: Digestion

The term that describes the process of preparing food physically and chemically so that it can be absorbed into the cells is digestion. This process begins in the mouth, where mechanical actions like chewing break food into smaller pieces, and enzymes in saliva start the chemical breakdown. As food moves through the digestive system, further chemical processes occur, primarily in the stomach and intestines, where it is broken down into nutrients that can be readily absorbed into the bloodstream and delivered to cells throughout the body for energy, growth, and repair. The other options do not relate to this process in the same way. A diet refers to the kinds of food a person habitually eats but does not specifically describe the breakdown of these foods. Dialysis is a medical procedure that removes waste and excess fluids from the blood, usually when the kidneys are not functioning properly. Dilate refers to the process of widening or expanding an opening, which does not pertain to food preparation or absorption. Thus, digestion is the precise term that encompasses both the physical and chemical preparation of food for cellular absorption.