What is the scientific term for the process of converting raw materials like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy?

The scientific term for the process of converting raw materials like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy is metabolism. Metabolism encompasses all the chemical reactions that occur within the body, including both the breakdown of substances to produce energy (catabolism) and the synthesis of compounds needed for growth and repair (anabolism).

Nutrition refers to the intake of food and the body's use of nutrients, which is a broader context that does not specifically describe the processes of energy conversion. Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller components that can be absorbed, while absorption is the process of taking those nutrients into the bloodstream from the digestive tract. Metabolism specifically addresses how the body transforms the absorbed nutrients into usable energy, making it the most accurate term for the given question.