What is Cellular process of eating called?

The cellular process of eating is called phagocytosis. This process involves the engulfing of large particles, such as bacteria or dead cells, by a cell through the formation of an engulfing membrane around the material. The cell then internalizes the material into a compartment called a phagosome, which can fuse with lysosomes for digestion. Phagocytosis is a crucial mechanism in the immune response and cellular maintenance.