Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
phagosome
Noun
/ˈfæɡəˌsoʊm/
Definition
A phagosome is a membrane-bound vesicle that forms within a cell during the process of phagocytosis, where the cell engulfs solid particles or microorganisms.
Examples
- The immune system uses phagosomes to engulf bacteria.
- After forming a phagosome, the cell can fuse it with lysosomes to digest the contents.
- Phagosomes allow macrophages to effectively clean up cellular waste.
Meaning
Phagosomes are crucial in the immune response, helping cells to digest and eliminate pathogens and debris.
Synonyms
- Vesicle
- Engulfing body
- Phagocytic vacuole
