What is the process of chewing called?

Mastication is the term used to describe the process of chewing, which involves the mechanical breakdown of food into smaller pieces by the teeth. This process is crucial for digestion, as it increases the surface area of the food, making it easier for enzymes to act upon it in subsequent stages of the digestive process. Mastication not only facilitates swallowing but also mixes the food with saliva, which contains enzymes that begin the breakdown of carbohydrates. This step is fundamental in the digestive process, as it prepares food for effective enzymatic action further along in the gastrointestinal tract.

The other options relate to different aspects of animal science: prehension refers to the act of grasping or taking in food, digestion refers to the biochemical breakdown of food after it has been ingested, and excretion is the elimination of waste products from the body. None of these terms specifically denote the chewing action, making mastication the correct and most precise term for that process.