Which process allows cells to take in larger molecules or particles?

Endocytosis is the process that allows cells to take in larger molecules or particles by engulfing them. During this process, the cell membrane invaginates, forming a pocket that eventually pinches off to create a vesicle containing the ingested materials. This is crucial for the uptake of nutrients, signaling molecules, and other large entities that cannot pass through the cell membrane by simpler means.

For instance, phagocytosis is a type of endocytosis where cells, such as immune cells, actively ingest large particles like bacteria or dead cells. This ability is vital for maintaining cellular functions and responding to environmental changes. In contrast, while diffusion is a process where molecules move from an area of high concentration to one of low concentration, it typically applies to small molecules, not larger particles. Similarly, exocytosis is the mechanism used to expel materials from a cell, and dissolution involves the process of solutes dissolving in a solvent, neither of which pertains to the uptake of larger materials into the cell.