Phagocytosis

• What is a phagocyte?

  A macrophage that carries out phagocytosis.
• Where are phagocytes found?

  In the blood and tissues.
• What triggers phagocytosis?

  Any non-self cell that is detected.
• How do phagocytes find pathogens?

  They are attracted by any chemicals or debris released by the pathogens.
• What do the receptors on the surface of phagocytes allow?

  For phagocytes to attach to antigens on the surface of pathogens.
• Once attached to a pathogen, the phagocyte...

  Changes shape to move around it and engulfs the pathogen.
• Once the pathogen is engulfed, what is it contained in?

  A vesicle called a phagosome.
• What within the phagocyte fuses with the phagosome?

  A lysosome containing digestive enzymes.
• What does the lysosome release into the phagosome?

  The enzyme lysozyme which hydrolyses the pathogen. The pathogen is destroyed.
• What happens to the soluble products of phagocytosis?

  They are absorbed and used by the phagocyte.