Fagosyytisolun

Fagosyytisolut, commonly known as phagocytes, are a type of white blood cell crucial to the innate immune system. Their primary function is to engulf and digest cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes, cancer cells, and anything else that does not have the type of proteins specific to healthy body cells on its surface. This process of engulfment is called phagocytosis, from which their name is derived.

There are several types of phagocytes, each with specific roles. The most prominent are neutrophils, which are typically the first responders to infection or injury, and macrophages, which are larger and longer-lived. Monocytes are precursors to macrophages, circulating in the blood before differentiating into macrophages in tissues. Other phagocytic cells include dendritic cells, which also play a key role in initiating adaptive immune responses by presenting antigens to lymphocytes, and mast cells, which are involved in allergic reactions and inflammation.

The mechanism of phagocytosis involves the phagocyte extending its cytoplasm, forming pseudopods, to surround the target particle. The particle is then enclosed within a vesicle called a phagosome. This phagosome fuses with lysosomes, organelles containing digestive enzymes and toxic molecules, forming a phagolysosome. Within the phagolysosome, the engulfed material is broken down and neutralized. Phagocytes are essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis and defending the body against a wide range of threats.