Phagocytosis
- Phagocytosis is carried out by both neutrophils and macrophages.
- Cells under attack produce histamine.
- Pathogens release chemicals.
- These both attract phagocytes (chemotaxis).
- Pathogens may be covered in marker antibodies (from B lymphocytes).
- This stimulates phagocytes to attack as they have receptor proteins which recognise antibody molecules and attach to them.
- Phagocyte membrane engulfs pathogen and traps it in a vacuole (endocytosis).
- Digestive enzymes within lysosomes fuse with phagocytic vacuole and the pathogen is destroyed.
- Undigested remains are removed by exocytosis.