Phagocytosis notes

Phagocytosis notes for MLT students

1. Phagocytosis

+ Phagein = "to devour", kytos = "cell",
osis = “process” (from Ancient Greek)

+ Phagocytosis is the process of engulfment and
destruction of solid particles such as bacteria,
dead tissue and foreign particles by the cells.

The steps of phagocytosis

+ Detection and opsonization of the foreign particle and movement
of the phagocyte to the area.

+ Attachment of the foreign particle to the phagocyte.

+ Engulfment or ingestion of the foreign particle into a vesicle called
a phagosome.

+ Fusion with lysosome and formation of the phagolysosome.

+ Intracellular killing and digestion.

+ Inthe case of macrophages, egestion and antigen presentation.

2. Process of Phagocytosis