What term refers to the movement of digested food particles into the bloodstream?

The term that describes the movement of digested food particles into the bloodstream is absorption. This process occurs primarily in the small intestine, where nutrients from the food that has been broken down are taken up into the bloodstream and transported to various cells throughout the body.

Absorption is a crucial step in nutrition, as it allows the body to utilize the vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that are necessary for energy, growth, and repair. After food is digested – broken down into simpler molecules – these nutrients can then be absorbed through the intestinal walls into the circulatory system.

The other terms mentioned, while related to the digestive process, refer to different stages. Digestion is the mechanical and chemical process of breaking down food. Assimilation pertains to the incorporation of absorbed nutrients into the body's cells where they are used for various functions. Elimination refers to the expulsion of undigested and unabsorbed food from the body, which is not involved in the nutrient uptake process.