In which part of the digestive process does ingestion occur?

Ingestion is the first step in the digestive process, where food is taken into the body through the mouth. This process occurs before any of the subsequent stages such as digestion, absorption, and metabolism. The correct choice emphasizes that ingestion takes place prior to absorption, meaning food is ingested and broken down into smaller components before the nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream for use by the body. This understanding of the sequence of digestion is fundamental, as it highlights the importance of each phase leading up to nutrient uptake.