Final answer:
The process by which white blood cells absorb and digest pathogens is known as phagocytosis, an essential function of the immune system performed by cells such as neutrophils.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process in which pathogens are "eaten," or absorbed and digested, by white blood cells as part of an immune response is called phagocytosis. This immune defense mechanism is vital for protecting the body from infections. Neutrophil white blood cells are an example of phagocytes that perform this function. They surround and engulf the pathogen, which is then destroyed by enzymes within lysosomes inside the neutrophil. Phagocytosis is distinct from pinocytosis, which is the uptake of liquid containing dissolved substances, also known as "cell drinking."