The combining form phag(o) relates to which process?

The combining form phag(o) relates to which process?

• A. Breathing
• B. Degeneration
• C. Metabolism
• D. Eating or Digestion

Answer: (D)

The combining form phag(o) denotes eating. In medical terms, phago- or phag- appears in words describing engulfing and ingesting particles, such as phagocytosis (the cell eating/globbing in a particle) and phagocyte (a cell that eats). So the process it points to is eating or digestion. The other options refer to breathing (respiration), tissue breakdown (degeneration), or all chemical body processes (metabolism), none of which hinge specifically on the act of eating, so the eating or digestion option best fits the meaning of phag(o).

The combining form phag(o) denotes eating. In medical terms, phago- or phag- appears in words describing engulfing and ingesting particles, such as phagocytosis (the cell eating/globbing in a particle) and phagocyte (a cell that eats). So the process it points to is eating or digestion. The other options refer to breathing (respiration), tissue breakdown (degeneration), or all chemical body processes (metabolism), none of which hinge specifically on the act of eating, so the eating or digestion option best fits the meaning of phag(o).