Phagocytosis
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Phagocytosis is the process by which a cell uses its plasma membrane to engulf a large particle, giving rise to an internal compartment called the phagosome. It is one type of endocytosis. A cell that
Scanning electron micrograph of a phagocyte (yellow, right) phagocytosing anthrax bacilli (orange, left)
Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica with ingested erythrocytes
Starling Feeding Offspring
Macrophage
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Macrophages are a type of white blood cell of the innate immune system that engulf and digest pathogens, such as cancer cells, microbes, cellular debris and foreign substances, which do not have prote
Phagocytosis
…main function. These are called 'professional phagocytes.' Phagocytosis is old in evolutionary terms, being present even in invertebrates. Neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes, dendritic cells, osteoclasts and eosinophils can be classified as professional phagocytes. The first three have the greatest role in immune…
Gram stain of a macrophage with ingested S. epidermidis bacteria, seen as purple granules within its cytoplasm.
A macrophage stretching its "arms" (filopodia) to engulf two particles, possibly pathogens, in a mouse (trypan blue exclusion staining).
Siderophage
Anthracotic macrophage