Which of the following best describes a reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings?

A reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings is classified as an endothermic reaction. This term specifically refers to processes in which the system takes in heat, leading to a decrease in the temperature of the surrounding environment.

In an endothermic reaction, the energy absorbed can come in the form of heat, which is used to break chemical bonds or drive the reaction forward. As a result, you often observe a cooling effect in the environment where the reaction occurs.

To clarify the context of the other options: catalytic reactions involve the use of a catalyst to speed up the reaction rate without being consumed in the process, and they can be either exothermic or endothermic depending on the specific reaction they facilitate. Exothermic reactions release energy, typically in the form of heat, to the surroundings, leading to a temperature increase in the environment. Redox reactions, which involve the transfer of electrons between species, can also be either exothermic or endothermic, but they do not specifically describe the absorption of energy. Thus, "endothermic" is the most accurate description of a reaction that absorbs energy.