Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

phagocytosis

noun

/ˌfæɡəʊsɪˈtəʊsɪs/

Definition

Phagocytosis is the process by which certain cells, known as phagocytes, engulf and digest foreign particles, bacteria, and cellular debris.

Examples

The white blood cells perform phagocytosis to remove harmful bacteria from the bloodstream.
In a healthy immune system, phagocytosis helps prevent the spread of infections.
During phagocytosis, the cell membrane extends around the particle, enclosing it in a vesicle.

Meaning

The term comes from the Greek words ‘phago-‘, meaning ‘to eat’, and ‘kytos’, meaning ‘cell’. It is an essential mechanism of the immune system, allowing the body to protect itself against infections and clear away dead or damaged cells.