Phagocytosis What & How
Phagocytosis:
White blood cells internalize multimolecular particles such as bacteria or old red blood cells by extending pseudopods that wrap around and seal in the targeted material.
A lysosome fuses with and degrades the vesicle contents.
During phagocytosis is also known as “cell eating”. Large multimolecular particles are internalized. Most body cells perform pinocytosis, many carry out receptor-mediated endocytosis, but only a few specialized cells are capable of phagocytosis, the most notable being certain types of white blood cells that play an important role in the body’s defense mechanisms. When a white blood cell encounters a large particle, such as a bacterium or tissue debris, it extends surface projections known as pseudopods (“false feet”) that surround or engulf the particle and trap it within an internalized vesicle . A lysosome fuses with the membrane of the phagocytic vesicle and releases its hydrolytic enzymes into the vesicle, where they safely attack the bacterium or other trapped material without damaging the remainder of the cell. Th e enzymes largely breakdown the engulfed material into raw ingredients, such as amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids, that the cell can use.
Phagocytosis Mechanism or Steps in Diagram
Role and Function of Phagocytosis in a Fun Learning Way:
Phagocytosis is a tale of drama, deception, and deadly dinner parties, that’s happening right inside your body!
Imagine, if you will, a game of ‘Pac-Man’ – but in this version, Pac-Man is a white blood cell, and the ghosts are pesky pathogens. Just like in the game, our white blood cell, Mr. Pac-Man, can’t just cruise around ignoring all the invaders in his path. He’s got to face them, gobble them up, and do some cellular spring cleaning.
You see, phagocytosis is just like a microscopic version of Pac-Man. When Pac-Cell, our hero, encounters a shady-looking bacterium, he doesn’t just shake his nucleus at it and walk away. Oh no. He goes full glutton mode and engulfs the whole thing – gulp! It’s like the world’s most deadly dinner party, where the guests are the meals! Canapes, anyone?
Once inside, the bacterium isn’t left to just roam about freely. This isn’t a vacation inside a cushy, plush cell, after all. It’s prison! There, the bacterium is greeted by a ruthless welcoming committee – lysosomes. They are filled with digestive enzymes that start breaking the bacterium down. These enzymes are like the cell’s personal chefs – but they’re not cooking up something delicious, they’re cooking up death for the bacteria. It’s the cellular equivalent of putting a virus through a meat grinder – not a pleasant experience!
In the end, the bacterium’s components are digested and recycled by the cell. And Pac-Cell? He’s ready for his next round of the game, always hungry, always hunting. So, next time you’re feeling a bit under the weather, remember – you’ve got an army of miniature Pac-Men inside you, gobbling up invaders and keeping you safe. Game on! What do you say?
That’s all about Phagocytosis. Comment us your doubts.