What is the term for the elimination of waste from the body?

The term for the elimination of waste from the body is excretion. This process involves the removal of metabolic waste products that are generated by cellular processes and are not useful to the body anymore. Excretion is crucial for maintaining homeostasis, as it helps regulate water balance, electrolytes, and the levels of various substances in the bloodstream.

Secretion refers to the production and release of substances, such as hormones or digestive enzymes, from cells into the bloodstream or into a cavity of the body, and is not focused on the removal of waste. Absorption involves the uptake of nutrients and water from the digestive tract into the bloodstream, which is the opposite of excretion. Digestion is the process by which food is broken down into smaller components that can be absorbed but does not specifically refer to waste elimination. Understanding these distinctions highlights why excretion is the correct answer in this context.