Which term describes the chemical clearance of a substance from the body?

The term that describes the chemical clearance of a substance from the body is "elimination." This process involves the removal of metabolites and unchanged substances from the body, primarily through the kidneys in urine and the liver in bile. Elimination is crucial for maintaining the body's homeostasis and preventing the accumulation of potentially harmful substances.

Understanding elimination is vital in the context of pharmacokinetics, which studies how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. While metabolism refers to the chemical transformation of substances, primarily into metabolites, elimination specifically addresses their removal from the body. This distinction is important for analyzing drug action and ensuring effective therapeutic dosing while minimizing toxicity.