Which term best describes the process by which your body takes in and uses food?

• A. Photosynthesis
• B. Metabolism
• C. Homeostasis
• D. Osmosis

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by analyzing the question. It asks for the term that describes the process by which the body takes in and uses food. This involves understanding how food is broken down, absorbed, and utilized for energy and other functions.
2. Step 2: Review the provided options: Photosynthesis, Metabolism, Homeostasis, and Osmosis. Eliminate options that are clearly unrelated to the process of food intake and usage in the human body.
3. Step 3: Clarify the meaning of each term: - Photosynthesis: A process used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. This is not relevant to human food intake. - Metabolism: The set of chemical reactions in the body that convert food into energy and building blocks for growth, repair, and maintenance. - Homeostasis: The maintenance of stable internal conditions in the body, such as temperature and pH, not directly related to food usage. - Osmosis: The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane, unrelated to food intake and usage.
4. Step 4: Based on the definitions, identify the term that directly relates to the process of food intake and usage. Metabolism is the correct term because it encompasses all the chemical processes involved in breaking down food and utilizing it for energy and other bodily functions.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is 'Metabolism' and understand its significance in biology as the central process for energy production and resource utilization in living organisms.