During which part of digestion does defecation occur?

Defecation is the final step in the digestive process, specifically involving the expulsion of indigestible substances and waste material from the body. This process is a key component of propulsion, which refers to the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract. Throughout digestion, propulsion includes various movements such as swallowing, peristalsis, and the eventual elimination of waste.

During digestion, after food has been broken down through ingestion and absorption, it moves to the rectum where it is stored before elimination. This movement and the act of defecation are essential for maintaining proper digestive health, as they help in disposing of waste products that the body no longer needs.

In contrast, ingestion pertains to the intake of food, absorption is focused on the uptake of nutrients from digested food into the bloodstream, and mechanical digestion involves the physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces. Each of these processes is crucial to digestion, but defecation specifically aligns with propulsion, as it involves the movement of waste from the body.