Which process involves the absorption and movement of nutrients within a plant?

Translocation is the process that specifically refers to the absorption and movement of nutrients within a plant. It involves the transport of organic compounds, primarily sugars produced during photosynthesis, and other nutrients from the leaves to different parts of the plant. The vascular system, particularly the phloem, plays a critical role in facilitating this movement, ensuring that various parts of the plant receive the necessary nutrients to grow and function properly.

Uptake pertains to the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil into a plant's roots, but it does not encompass the movement of those nutrients throughout the plant. Transpiration relates to the process by which water evaporates from plant leaves, creating a vacuum that helps draw nutrients upward through the xylem, but it is not directly about nutrient movement itself. Phytoremediation refers to the use of plants to remove contaminants from soil and water but is not a process directly involved with the absorption and internal distribution of nutrients. Thus, translocation accurately captures the entire journey of nutrients within a plant, which makes it the correct choice.