page_title: Phagocytosis
hierarchical_section_title: Phagocytosis
caption_attribution_description: English: Caption: Endocytosis is a form of active transport in which a cell envelopes extracellular materials using its cell membrane. In phagocytosis, which is relatively nonselective, the cell takes in a large particle. URL:https://cnx.org/contents/FPtK1zmh@8.108:q2X995E3@12/The-Cell-Membrane Version 8.25 from the Textbook OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology Published May 18, 2016 Other versions: English original Phagocytosis en Phagocytosis cleaned Pinocytosis en Pinocytosis cleaned RME en RME cleaned 0309 Three Forms of Endocytosis cleaned.png All cleaned
context_page_description: Phagocytosis is the process by which a cell uses its plasma membrane to engulf a large particle, giving rise to an internal compartment called the phagosome. It is one type of endocytosis.
  In a multicellular organism's immune system, phagocytosis is a major mechanism used to remove pathogens and cell debris. The ingested material is then digested in the phagosome. Bacteria, dead tissue cells, and small mineral particles are all examples of objects that may be phagocytized. Some protozoa use phagocytosis as means to obtain nutrients.
context_section_description: Phagocytosis (from Ancient Greek  φαγεῖν (phagein) , meaning 'to eat', and  κύτος, (kytos) , meaning 'cell') is the process by which a cell uses its plasma membrane to engulf a large particle (≥ 0.5 μm), giving rise to an internal compartment called the phagosome.  It is one type of endocytosis.
  In a multicellular organism's immune system, phagocytosis is a major mechanism used to remove pathogens and cell debris. The ingested material is then digested in the phagosome. Bacteria, dead tissue cells, and small mineral particles are all examples of objects that may be phagocytized. Some protozoa use phagocytosis as means to obtain nutrients.
caption: Overview of phagocytosis
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