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glossary:phagocytosis [2012/10/16 14:40] (current)
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|+||(Science: [[cell]] biology) endocytosis of particulate material, such as [[microorganism]]s or cell fragments. The material is taken into the cell in membrane bound vesicles (phagosomes) that originate as pinched off invaginations of the [[plasma]] membrane. Phagosomes fuse with lysosomes, forming phagolysosomes in which the engulfed material is killed and digested. |
|+||Origin: L. Phagedaena, gr Phago, To eat. process in which phagocytes engulf and digest microorganisms and cellular debris; an important defense against [[infection]].The ingestion of materials ("cell eating") from the outside of the cell into its exterior. |