What is the term for the process of food entering the mouth?

The term for the process of food entering the mouth is ingestion. Ingestion specifically refers to the intake of food and liquids through the mouth, which is the first step in the digestive process. During ingestion, food begins its journey through the gastrointestinal tract, where it will later be broken down into smaller components that can be absorbed and utilized by the body.

Digestion, while related, refers to the overall process by which food is broken down into smaller, absorbable components, which includes both mechanical and chemical processes that occur in the mouth, stomach, and intestines, rather than just the act of food entering the mouth.

Absorption follows digestion and is the process of nutrients being taken up into the bloodstream from the intestines after they have been broken down into their chemical forms. Metabolism involves the chemical reactions that occur within cells to maintain life, utilizing the energy derived from the nutrients absorbed.

Thus, ingestion is the precise term that describes the action of bringing food into the mouth, making it the correct answer.