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Related Concept Videos

Phagocytosis00:41

Phagocytosis

92.2K
Cells pull particles inward and engulf them in spherical vesicles in an energy-requiring process called endocytosis. Phagocytosis (“cellular eating”) is one of three major types of endocytosis. Cells use phagocytosis to take in large objects—such as other cells (or their debris), bacteria, and even viruses.
92.2K
Phagocytosis00:41

Phagocytosis

7.4K
Cells pull particles inward and engulf them in spherical vesicles in an energy-requiring process called endocytosis. Phagocytosis ("cellular eating") is one of three major types of endocytosis. Cells use phagocytosis to take in large objects, such as other cells (or their debris), bacteria, and even viruses.
The objective of phagocytosis is often destruction. Cells use phagocytosis to eliminate unwelcome visitors, like pathogens (e.g., viruses and bacteria). Many immune system cells,...
7.4K
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

4.7K
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
4.7K
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

7.6K
Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
7.6K
Endocytosis01:16

Endocytosis

12.0K
Eukaryotic cells acquire nutrients for growth and proliferation. Nutrients and other molecules that require degradation are internalized from the extracellular space by a process called endocytosis. The term ‘endocytosis' was first coined by Christian de Duve in 1963.
Endocytosis always begins with the plasma membrane enclosing an incoming molecule to form a transport vesicle which, in some cases, can be coated with a protein called ‘clathrin.' Endocytosed material is either...
12.0K
Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome01:36

Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome

8.6K
Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
8.6K

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 21, 2025

Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis
08:04

Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis

Published on: February 3, 2017

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An Introduction to Phagocytosis.

Maurice B Hallett1

  • 1School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. hallettmb@cf.ac.uk.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|May 14, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Phagocytosis is a cellular process where cells engulf large particles like microbes for food or immune defense. This introduction explores the fundamental basis and origins of this complex cell biological mechanism.

Keywords:
Evolution of phagocytosisPhagocytic cup formationPhagocytic stepsPhagocytosisRole of phagocytosis in evolution

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"Phagosome Closure Assay" to Visualize Phagosome Formation in Three Dimensions Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy TIRFM
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"Phagosome Closure Assay" to Visualize Phagosome Formation in Three Dimensions Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy TIRFM

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Time-lapse 3D Imaging of Phagocytosis by Mouse Macrophages
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Time-lapse 3D Imaging of Phagocytosis by Mouse Macrophages

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 21, 2025

Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis
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"Phagosome Closure Assay" to Visualize Phagosome Formation in Three Dimensions Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy TIRFM
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Time-lapse 3D Imaging of Phagocytosis by Mouse Macrophages
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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Phagocytosis is a distinct endocytic process for internalizing particles >0.5 μm.
  • It differs from pinocytosis and macropinocytosis, which primarily internalize extracellular fluid.
  • Phagocytosis targets solid particulates, often microbes, for digestion or immune functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce the fundamental basis of phagocytosis.
  • To discuss the origins and evolutionary aspects of phagocytosis.
  • To differentiate phagocytosis from other endocytic processes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on phagocytosis.
  • Analysis of cell biological and molecular events involved in particle uptake.
  • Comparative discussion of phagocytosis with pinocytosis and macropinocytosis.

Main Results:

  • Phagocytosis is a targeted process for solid particles, distinct from fluid-phase endocytosis.
  • The mechanism, while ancient, involves complex, coordinated cellular events.
  • It plays crucial roles in nutrition and immunity in higher animals.

Conclusions:

  • Phagocytosis is a specialized and essential cellular function.
  • Understanding its basis and origins is key to comprehending cellular defense and nutrition.
  • Further research into its primitive elements and complex coordination is warranted.