Final answer:
The process of breaking down food macromolecules into monomers that can be absorbed is known as digestion. It primarily occurs through hydrolysis reactions facilitated by digestive enzymes and is reversed in cells through dehydration synthesis to form new macromolecules.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of converting food macromolecules into absorbable monomers is called digestion. During digestion, enzymes catalyze hydrolysis reactions that break down complex carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids into simpler molecules, such as monosaccharides, amino acids, and fatty acids, respectively. This process typically begins in the mouth and continues in the stomach and the small intestine. After digestion, these monomers are absorbed and transported to cells throughout the body, where they may be reassembled into new macromolecules or utilized for energy. The reverse process, whereby cells create new macromolecules from monomers, is known as dehydration synthesis (also called condensation), which involves the formation of covalent bonds between monomers with the release of water molecules.