What is the term used to describe the movement of a chemical into plants, animals, and microorganisms?

The term that refers to the movement of a chemical into plants, animals, and microorganisms is absorption. This process involves the uptake of substances, such as nutrients or chemicals, through cellular membranes and into living organisms.

When chemicals are absorbed, they are taken into the tissues of an organism, which may then use these substances for various biological processes or experience effects from chemicals in the environment. This is crucial in understanding how pesticides and other chemicals can affect ecosystem dynamics, as well as human health, since these substances can interact with biological systems at a cellular level.

In contrast, adsorption refers to the process where molecules adhere to the surface of a solid or liquid rather than being absorbed into the material itself. Adsorbents are materials that have the capacity to collect or hold substances onto their surface, playing a different role in chemistry. The term active ingredient pertains to the component of a formulation that is responsible for its intended effect but does not encompass the concept of movement into cells or organisms.