Digestion:The chemical and mechanical process by which food is broken down into smaller components that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Absorption:The process by which nutrients from digested food are taken up from the intestine into the blood or lymph, transferring them to cells throughout the body.
Gastrointestinal tract: A continuous tube running from the mouth to the anus where digestion and absorption occur; it includes all organs involved in digestion, such as the stomach and intestines