5.2 - Phagocytosis

Question 1

Draw out the individual steps to phagocytosis

Answer 1

Question 2

Describe the process of phagocytosis

Answer 2

• the phagocyte is attracted to the pathogen by the chemical attractant products of the pathogen, it moves towards the pathogen along a conc. gradient
• the phagocyte has several receptors on its CSM that attach to chemicals on the surface of the pathogen
• lysosomes within the phagocyte migrate towards the phagosome that has been formed from engulfing the pathogen
• the lysosome release their lysozymes into the phagosome, where they hydrolyse the pathogen’s cell walls, destroying it
• the soluble products from the breakdown of the pathogen are absorbed into the cytoplasm of the phagosome
• other cell debris is moved out of the cell by exocytosis

Question 3

Where do phagocytes travel

Answer 3

In the blood

Question 4

Which cells do phagocytes activate

Answer 4

T-cells (they bind their own receptors to the complimentary antigens on the surface of phagocytes (antigen presentation))