Which term describes the process of converting food into a semi-liquid substance in the stomach?

The process of converting food into a semi-liquid substance in the stomach is best described as chyme formation. When food enters the stomach, it is mixed with gastric juices, which contain enzymes and acids that break down the food particles. This mechanical and chemical breakdown transforms the food into a thick, soupy mixture known as chyme. This chyme is then gradually released into the small intestine for further digestion and nutrient absorption.

Although digestion is a broader term that encompasses the entire process of breaking down food from the moment it is ingested until the nutrients are absorbed, the specific aspect of forming a semi-liquid substance in the stomach is uniquely defined by the term chyme formation. Assimilation refers to the process of the body incorporating digested nutrients into cells, and metabolism involves the chemical processes that occur within living organisms to maintain life, which includes both the breakdown of nutrients and the use of those nutrients for energy and growth. Thus, chyme formation specifically captures the unique transformation occurring in the stomach.