Which process entails a cell taking in materials by engulfing them with its plasma membrane?

The process referred to involves a cell taking in materials by engulfing them with its plasma membrane, which is characteristic of endocytosis. During endocytosis, the cell membrane wraps around the external materials, forming a pocket that eventually pinches off and internalizes the material into the cell. This process allows cells to intake larger particles, such as nutrients or pathogens, that cannot pass directly through the membrane.

Endocytosis is essential for various cellular functions, including nutrient uptake, signal transduction, and immune response. It differs from other processes like exocytosis, where materials are expelled from the cell, diffusion, which is a passive process that relies on concentration gradients for small molecules, and facilitated transport, which involves the use of specific transport proteins to move substances across the membrane without energy expenditure. Understanding endocytosis is crucial for grasping how cells interact with their environment and maintain homeostasis.