What process involves getting rid of undigested material and waste products?

The process that involves getting rid of undigested material and waste products is elimination. In the context of the digestive system, elimination refers specifically to the final stage of digestion where the body expels waste that cannot be utilized or absorbed. This process occurs primarily through the large intestine, where leftover material is formed into feces and eventually removed from the body through the rectum.

In contrast, digestion refers to the breakdown of food into smaller components that can be absorbed. Absorption is the process by which these smaller, digested nutrients are taken up by the cells of the intestinal lining and utilized by the body. Metabolism encompasses the entire range of biochemical processes that occur within the body, including both the breakdown of substances for energy and the synthesis of necessary compounds. Thus, elimination specifically focuses on the removal of waste, distinguishing it from the other processes related to nutrient processing.