What process aids in the movement of food down the digestive tract through coordinated muscle contractions?

Peristalsis is the correct choice because it refers specifically to the coordinated, rhythmic contractions of smooth muscles that occur in the walls of the digestive tract. This process facilitates the movement of food along the gastrointestinal tract, beginning from the esophagus and continuing through the stomach and intestines. The wave-like contractions propel the food bolus forward, allowing for efficient transit and digestion.

Digestion, while related to the breakdown of food into smaller molecules, does not specifically refer to the movement of food itself. Excretion pertains to the removal of waste from the body, which occurs later in the digestive process. Absorption is the process by which nutrients from digested food are taken up into the bloodstream, but it is distinct from the mechanical movement of food through the digestive system.