Digestion vs. Absorption — What's the Difference?

Digestion is the breakdown of large insoluble food molecules into small water-soluble food molecules so that they can be absorbed into the watery blood plasma. In certain organisms, these smaller substances are absorbed through the small intestine into the blood stream.

The act or process of absorbing or the condition of being absorbed.

The process by which food is converted into substances that can be absorbed and assimilated by a living organism. In most animals it is accomplished in the digestive tract by the mechanical and enzymatic breakdown of foods into simpler chemical compounds.

A state of mental concentration.

The ability to digest food.

The act or process of absorbing or of being absorbed as,

(Biochemistry) The process of decomposing complex organic substances into simpler substances, as by the action of enzymes or bacteria.

(obsolete) engulfing; swallowing up, as of bodies or land.

(Chemistry) The process of softening or disintegrating by means of chemical action, heat, or moisture.

Assimilation; incorporation.

Assimilation of ideas or information; understanding.

The imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action, of radiant energy; the process of being neutrons being absorbed by the nucleus; interception.

The process, in the gastrointestinal tract, by which food is converted into substances that can be utilized by the body.

(meteorology) The process in which incident radiant energy is retained by a substance (such as an air mass) by conversion to some other form of energy (such as heat).

The result of this process.

(physiology) in living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and organs; taking in by various means, such as by osmosis.

The ability to use this process.

Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind.

The processing of decay in organic matter assisted by microorganisms.

Mental assimilation.

The assimilation and understanding of ideas.

(electrical engineering) The retaining of electrical energy for a short time after it has been introduced to the dielectric.

Generation of pus; suppuration.

The act or process of absorbing or sucking in anything, or of being absorbed and made to disappear; as, the absorption of bodies in a whirlpool, the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger.

(chemistry) Dissolution of a sample into a solution by means of adding acid and heat.

An imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action; as, the absorption of light, heat, electricity, etc.

The act or process of digesting; reduction to order; classification; thoughtful consideration.

In living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and organs.

The conversion of food, in the stomach and intestines, into soluble and diffusible products, capable of being absorbed by the blood.

Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind; as, absorption in some employment.

Generation of pus; suppuration.

(chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another; a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid

The process of decomposing organic matter (as in sewage) by bacteria or by chemical action or heat

(physics) the process in which incident radiated energy is retained without reflection or transmission on passing through a medium;

The organic process by which food is converted into substances that can be absorbed into the body

The social process of absorbing one cultural group into harmony with another

Learning and coming to understand ideas and information;

The process of absorbing nutrients into the body after digestion

Complete attention; intense mental effort

The mental state of being preoccupied by something