phagocytosis
Cell swallows particle
Phagocytosis is the process by which a cell engulfs and digests foreign particles, bacteria, or dead cells.
White blood cells use phagocytosis to destroy pathogens—the cell membrane surrounds the target, draws it inside, and breaks it down.
The term comes from Greek words meaning "cell eating." Phagocytosis is a key part of the immune response.
Complete surrounding and absorption
- pseudopodTemporary cellular projection
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
- receptor-mediatedInitiated through surface binding
- actinCellular contractile protein
cytoskeleton · microfilament · receptor · vacuole · encapsulation · membrane · internalization · degradation
Multi-lobed immune cell
- eosinophilAcidophilic white blood cell
- basophilGranular immune cell type
- leukocyteInfection-fighting blood cell
- amoebaShape-shifting single-celled organism
Disease-causing microorganism
- antigenImmune response inducer
- innateExisting since birth
- adaptiveAble to change accordingly
- inflammationProtective tissue response
infection · cytokine · complement · chemotaxis · antibody · interferon · immunoglobulin · pattern recognition
Digestive organelle in cells
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
- hydrolaseEnzyme cleaving via water
- acidificationIncrease in hydrogen ions
- proteolysisEnzymatic protein breakdown
degradation · breakdown · processing · digestion · absorption · catabolism · lysis
engulfment
Complete surrounding and absorption
- pseudopodTemporary cellular projection
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
- receptor-mediatedInitiated through surface binding
actin · cytoskeleton · microfilament · receptor · vacuole · encapsulation · membrane · internalization · degradation · lysosome
neutrophil
Multi-lobed immune cell
- eosinophilAcidophilic white blood cell
- basophilGranular immune cell type
- leukocyteInfection-fighting blood cell
amoeba · microglia · myeloid · granulocyte
pathogen
Disease-causing microorganism
inflammation · infection · cytokine · complement · chemotaxis · antibody · interferon · immunoglobulin · pattern recognition · microbe
lysosome
Digestive organelle in cells
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
- hydrolaseEnzyme cleaving via water
- acidificationIncrease in hydrogen ions
proteolysis · degradation · breakdown · processing · digestion · absorption · catabolism · lysis
macrophage, monocyte, phagocyte, endocytosis, macrophages, exocytosis, monocytes, phagocytes