Which term means cell drinking?

Which term means cell drinking?

• A. Phagocytosis
• B. Pinocytosis
• C. Endocytosis
• D. Exocytosis

Answer: (B)

Pinocytosis is the process that fits cell drinking. In this form of endocytosis, the cell membrane folds inward to form small vesicles that capture extracellular fluid and dissolved solutes, effectively sampling the surrounding environment. It’s typically non-selective, which is why it’s described as cell drinking. By contrast, phagocytosis handles large particles like bacteria (cell eating), exocytosis releases substances from the cell, and endocytosis is the broader term that includes both pinocytosis and phagocytosis.

Pinocytosis is the process that fits cell drinking. In this form of endocytosis, the cell membrane folds inward to form small vesicles that capture extracellular fluid and dissolved solutes, effectively sampling the surrounding environment. It’s typically non-selective, which is why it’s described as cell drinking. By contrast, phagocytosis handles large particles like bacteria (cell eating), exocytosis releases substances from the cell, and endocytosis is the broader term that includes both pinocytosis and phagocytosis.