What term describes the chemical process by which food is broken down to release energy?

The term that describes the chemical process by which food is broken down to release energy is metabolism. Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions that occur within a living organism to maintain life, including the conversion of food into energy.

Within metabolism, there are two specific processes: catabolism and anabolism. Catabolism refers specifically to the breakdown of molecules to obtain energy, whereas anabolism involves the synthesis of compounds needed for growth and repair, usually requiring energy input.

In this context, although digestion is the mechanical and chemical process of breaking down food into smaller components for absorption, it does not directly describe the cellular energetic aspect. Metabolism is the overarching term that includes both catabolic pathways (the degradation of biomolecules to release energy) and anabolic pathways (the building up of molecules). Thus, it is the most accurate term that encompasses the entire process of energy release from food.