What is the name given to chemical processes by which all nutrients are used to support life?

The term that refers to the chemical processes through which all nutrients are used to support life is metabolism. This encompasses both the anabolic processes, which build up molecules, and catabolic processes, which break down molecules to release energy. Metabolism is essential for various bodily functions, including growth, reproduction, repair, and energy production, making it a fundamental concept in understanding how organisms convert food into energy and maintain their biological processes. In contrast, digestion specifically refers to the breakdown of food into smaller components, absorption is the process by which nutrients are taken up into the bloodstream, and respiration involves the exchange of gases and cellular processes to produce energy but does not encompass the full range of nutrient utilization. Thus, metabolism is the comprehensive term that adequately covers all the biochemical reactions necessary for sustaining life.