What term is used to describe the process of "cell eating"?

Phagocytosis is the term used to describe the process of "cell eating." It refers specifically to the mechanism by which cells, particularly immune cells like macrophages, engulf and digest large particles, such as bacteria, dead cells, and other debris. During phagocytosis, the cell membrane surrounds the particle and ultimately engulfs it into a vesicle known as a phagosome. This process is crucial for the immune system as it helps clear pathogens and maintain tissue homeostasis.

In contrast, other options relate to different processes. Pinocytosis refers to "cell drinking," where the cell takes in small droplets of extracellular fluid along with dissolved substances. Exocytosis is the process of expelling materials from a cell, and phagography is not a recognized biological term. Understanding the distinction among these terms highlights why phagocytosis is specifically associated with the ingestion of larger particles by cells.