Essentially the word "digestion" means -

Options

A. Burning of food
B. hydrolysis of food
C. Breaking down of food
D. Oxidation of food

Answer

To answer the question "Essentially the word 'digestion' means," we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Term "Digestion":**
- The term "digestion" refers to the process by which food is broken down in the body.

2. **Identifying the Key Process:**
- Digestion involves the breakdown of complex food substances (macromolecules) into simpler forms (micromolecules) that can be easily absorbed by the body.

3. **Clarifying the Mechanism:**
- This breakdown is primarily achieved through the action of enzymes, specifically hydrolytic enzymes, which facilitate the hydrolysis of food.

4. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the essence of digestion is the "breaking down of food" into smaller, absorbable units.

### Final Answer:
Essentially, the word "digestion" means the breaking down of food.

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