What is the process of eliminating waste products from the body called?

The process of eliminating waste products from the body is known as excretion. This physiological function is crucial for maintaining homeostasis, as it helps regulate the body’s internal environment by removing harmful or excess substances. Excretion primarily occurs through systems such as the urinary system, where waste products are filtered from the bloodstream and expelled as urine.

While absorption refers to the process by which nutrients and other substances are taken into the cells of the body, filtration is the process of separating solids from liquids, often related to kidney function but not directly tied to the overall elimination of waste. Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions in the body, including both the breakdown of substances for energy and the synthesis of cellular components, but it does not specifically denote waste elimination. Thus, excretion is the most accurate term for the elimination of waste products from the body.