What term describes the movement of food or other particles through a cell membrane?

The correct term for the movement of food or other particles through a cell membrane is phagocytosis. Phagocytosis refers specifically to the process by which a cell engulfs large particles, such as bacteria or dead cell debris, by extending its membrane around the particle and forming a phagosome. This is a critical mechanism for immune cells, such as macrophages, that need to remove pathogens and debris from the body.

In phagocytosis, the particle is typically too large to enter the cell through simple diffusion or transport proteins, necessitating this active process of engulfment. Once the particle is engulfed, the phagosome can fuse with lysosomes to break down the contents, allowing the cell to utilize nutrients or eliminate pathogens.

Endocytosis is a broader term that encompasses various ways cells take in substances, including both pinocytosis (the ingestion of liquid) and phagocytosis. Exocytosis is the process of expelling substances from a cell, such as hormones or neurotransmitters, through vesicles fusing with the membrane. Pinocytosis specifically refers to the uptake of small particles or liquids into the cell.

Thus, phagocytosis specifically addresses the movement of larger particles into the cell by engulf