Final answer:
The process of transferring broken-down food components to the blood is termed absorption, which mainly occurs in the small intestine for most nutrients.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe the process of transferring broken down food components from the gastrointestinal system to the blood is absorption. During digestion, food is broken down into nutrients which are then absorbed through the epithelial cells of the mucosa in the small intestine.
Most nutrients directly enter the bloodstream whereas lipids are absorbed into lacteals and transported via the lymphatic system. Any undigested matter is expelled from the body as waste through the process of defecation.