Phagocytosis

Question 1

Describe the process of phagocytosis

Answer 1

1. Phagocytes are attracted to the pathogen
2. Receptors on the cell surface membrane of phagocytes attach to the antigens on the pathogen.
3. The pathogen is engulfed thru ENDOCYTOSIS to form a vesicle called a PHAGOSOME inside the phagocyte.
4. Lysosomes move toward the phagosome to fuse with it and form a PHAGOLYSOSOME.
5. Lysosomes release lysozymes which is a hydrolytic enzyme that breaks down/digests the pathogen by hydrolysis.
6. The soluble remaining of the pathogen is absorbed by the cell cytoplasm and the pathogen antigens are projected to make an antigen-presenting cell.