Which of the following correctly lists the stages of digestion?

The correct sequence of stages in the digestive process highlights the flow and transformation of food from entry into the body to the elimination of waste. Ingestion refers to the intake of food through the mouth. Digestion follows, which includes both mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller components that can be absorbed.

Next, the stage of Absorption occurs, where the nutrients from the digested food pass through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream to be used by the body. After absorption, Compaction takes place, in which the remaining waste material is dehydrated and compacted into feces in the large intestine. Finally, Defecation is the process of expelling the waste from the body.

This sequence accurately represents the progression of food processing in the gastrointestinal system, emphasizing the correct order of these physiological activities. The inclusion of compaction specifically points to the preparation of waste for excretion, making it essential to understanding how the body handles undigested material.