Fagocitál

Fagocitál is a term used in biology to describe the process by which certain cells engulf and ingest foreign particles, such as bacteria, viruses, or cellular debris. This cellular eating is a crucial component of the immune system and plays a vital role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. The cells responsible for phagocytosis are known as phagocytes, and they include a variety of white blood cells like macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells.

The process of phagocitál begins when a phagocyte recognizes a target particle. This recognition is often mediated by specific receptors on the surface of the phagocyte that bind to molecules on the surface of the particle. Once bound, the phagocyte extends its pseudopods, which are temporary extensions of the cell membrane, to surround the particle. These pseudopods then fuse, enclosing the particle within a membrane-bound vesicle called a phagosome.

Following engulfment, the phagosome merges with lysosomes, which are organelles containing digestive enzymes. This fusion creates a phagolysosome, where the ingested particle is broken down and degraded. The resulting waste products are then expelled from the cell. In the case of pathogens, phagocytosis is a primary mechanism for their elimination. For cellular debris, it facilitates tissue remodeling and repair. Dendritic cells, after phagocytosing antigens, also present fragments of these antigens to other immune cells, initiating a more targeted immune response.