5.2 - Phagocytosis

Question 1

Process of phagocytosis

Answer 1

1. pathogens release chemicals - attracts a phagocyte
2. phagocyte recognises pathogen’s antigens as non-self - causes phagocyte to bind to the pathogen
3. phagocyte engulfs the pathogens
4. pathogen is contained within a phagosome
5. lysosome (phagosome) contains hydrolytoc enzymes - lysozomes - fuses with phagosome and forms a phagolysozome
6. Digests and destroys the pathogen

Question 2

What is phagocytosis? (type of defence and what does it involve)

Answer 2

a type of non-specific defence involving phagocytes

Question 3

What are phagocytes (type of cell and purpose of it, where is it found)?

Answer 3

• type of WBC
• engulfs and destroys pathogens
• found in the blood and body tissues of many organisms