Fagosyytisolut

Fagosyyttisolut, also 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. Macrophages are large, long-lived cells that reside in tissues throughout the body. They are derived from monocytes, which circulate in the blood. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are typically the first responders to sites of infection or injury. They are short-lived and play a key role in fighting bacterial infections. Dendritic cells are also phagocytes, and while they engulf pathogens, their main function is to present antigens to T lymphocytes, thereby initiating an adaptive immune response.

Phagocytosis is a multi-step process. It begins with the recognition of the target particle by the phagocyte, often through receptors on the cell surface. The phagocyte then extends pseudopods, which surround and enclose the particle, forming a vesicle called a phagosome. This phagosome fuses with lysosomes, organelles containing digestive enzymes and toxic molecules. The contents of the phagosome are then broken down and eliminated. Phagocytes are essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis and protecting the body from disease.