What process describes the movement of food using adjacent segments of the digestive tract?

The correct process that describes the movement of food using adjacent segments of the digestive tract is peristalsis. Peristalsis involves rhythmic contractions of the smooth muscle in the walls of the digestive tract that propel food forward through the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and beyond. These wave-like movements ensure that food is pushed along the digestive canal in a coordinated manner.

In contrast, segmentation refers to a different type of movement in the intestines, where contractions occur in non-adjacent segments, mixing the food and aiding in digestion rather than moving it forward. Defecation is the process of expelling waste from the body, not related to the movement of food through the digestive tract. Absorption refers to the process of nutrients being taken into the bloodstream from the intestines, which is a separate function from the mechanical movement of food. Understanding the distinction between these processes is essential for grasping how digestion and nutrient uptake work together in the human body.