Absorption refers to which process in the notes?

• A. When oxygen is consumed
• B. when bugs take in compounds needed for synthesis and respiration
• C. When bacteria die
• D. When food molecules stick to slime

Answer: (B)

Absorption is the uptake of dissolved nutrients into a cell so they can be used for growth and energy production. In the notes, this means nutrients move across the cell membrane into the organism where they’re needed for synthesis of cellular components and for respiration. This is different from adsorption, which is when molecules just stick to the outside slime or surface rather than entering the cell. It also isn’t about oxygen being consumed (that’s respiration in a broader sense) or about bacterial death. So the description of bugs taking in compounds needed for synthesis and respiration best matches absorption.