Question

Name the five stage involved in the process of nutrition and define each term

Answer 1

Dear Student,

Nutrition is the process by which an organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and maintenance.

Five steps involved in the process of nutrition are:

1. Ingestion: Taking in food, chewing and swallowing it.

The process of taking in food through the buccal cavity is known as ingestion. Eg- when we eat rice, dal, apple or any other food item.

2. Digestion: Conversion of complex food into simpler absorbable form
The breakdown of complex components into simpler substances is called digestion .

3. Absorption: Absorbing digested food

Absorption is a process in which atoms , molecules or ions enters a bulk phase material. This may be physical or chemical process.

e.g. Absorption of water by plant roots.

4. Assimilation: Utilization of digested food by body tissues
The food absorbed by blood is transported to various parts of the body by blood vessels. This process is known as assimilation.​​​​​​​

5. Egestion: Removal of undigested food from the body.
The process of removing the undigested food material from the body through the anus is known as egestion. ​​​​​​​

Regards