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Phagocytosis

Definition

noun

The process of engulfing and ingestion of particles by the cell or a phagocyte (e.g. macrophage) to form a phagosome (or food vacuole), which in turn fuse with lysosome and become phagolysosome where the engulfed material is eventually digested or degraded and either released extracellularly via exocytosis, or released intracellularly to undergo further processing.


Supplement

Phagocytosis is the mechanism used by many protists (e.g. amoeba) to acquire nutrients. In humans and other multicellular animals, phagocytosis is an important defense mechanism against infection by microorganisms (e.g. bacteria) and the process of removing cell debris (e.g. dead tissue cells) and other foreign bodies.

Steps of a macrophage ingesting a pathogen:
a. Ingestion through phagocytosis, a phagosome is formed
b. The fusion of lysosomes with the phagosome creates a phagolysosome; the pathogen is broken down by enzymes
c. Waste material is expelled or assimilated.


Word origin: phago: G, comb. form akin to phageǐn to eat, devour + cyte: G. kutos, hollow vessel + -osis: expressing state or condition.
Related forms: phagocyte (noun), phagocytic (adjective) – as in “a phagocytotic cell”, phagocytose (verb) -- as in “to phagocytose particles”.

Compare: pinocytosis.
See also: endocytosis, plasma membrane.


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Re: Difference between T-Cell and Phagocyte?

... of the two facts, biology noivce, as my username, but it was already taken. Then I used the other, here by chance. I liked your clarification for phagocytosis and endocytosis - answered one of my long time questions. I have some further questions if you don't mind: 1. Does B cell process the endocyted ...

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by aptitude
Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:27 am
 
Forum: Physiology
Topic: Difference between T-Cell and Phagocyte?
Replies: 9
Views: 16941

biology help!!!!!!!!!!

... certain prokaryotic cells were engulfed by other larger phagocytic prokaryotes, those whose membranes evolved the ability to take in food through phagocytosis. Perhaps because digestive machinery was not yet particularly efficient, or the prey had developed defenses against the predator's enzymes, ...

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by takuy12345
Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:04 pm
 
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: biology help!!!!!!!!!!
Replies: 1
Views: 577

Immune System

I may as well make a list out of this! - Cell death can be due to phagocytosis or by the release of membrane perforating enzymes such as granzyme and perforin - both of these from NK or cytotoxic T-cells - that cause apoptosis. - Complement directly leads ...

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by Babybel56
Tue May 10, 2011 7:05 pm
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: Immune System
Replies: 4
Views: 562

Re: Difference between T-Cell and Phagocyte?

... of the two facts, biology noivce, as my username, but it was already taken. Then I used the other, here by chance. I liked your clarification for phagocytosis and endocytosis - answered one of my long time questions. I have some further questions if you don't mind: 1. Does B cell process the endocyted ...

See entire post
by herebychance
Tue May 03, 2011 7:30 pm
 
Forum: Physiology
Topic: Difference between T-Cell and Phagocyte?
Replies: 9
Views: 16941

Ingestion and storage question

Phagocytosis and pinocytosis. Primary and secondary lysosomes. Endocytosis. Wiki's got some nice explanations. Think hungry amoeba! Good luck - it's a nice topic to be given. :)

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by Julie5
Thu Oct 21, 2010 7:42 am
 
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Ingestion and storage question
Replies: 3
Views: 1038
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