What is the term for the process by which alcohol enters the bloodstream?

The term for the process by which alcohol enters the bloodstream is absorption. When alcohol is consumed, it is taken into the body primarily through the stomach and small intestine. Once ingested, alcohol molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream and begin to circulate throughout the body, affecting various systems and organs.

This process is critical to understanding how alcohol impacts physiological functions, including its effects on the central nervous system and other body functions. Factors such as the rate of consumption, the presence of food in the stomach, and the individual's body composition can influence the rate and efficiency of alcohol absorption.

While metabolism refers to the body's ability to process and break down alcohol, dilution relates to the dispersal of substances in fluids, and excretion refers to the elimination of alcohol from the body through urine or breath, these processes occur after absorption. Therefore, absorption is the stage where alcohol first enters the bloodstream, making it the correct answer.