Explanation of the eating activity of the cell
What is phagocytosis?
The synonym for phagocytosis is foreign body uptake . Experts call this procedure “the incorporation of foreign material into the cell body”. In the process, individual eukaryotic cells absorb particles or smaller cells. Thus, this event is considered part of endocytosis. The ingested particles appear in solid, extra-cellular form.
The ability to phagocytosis
Protists have the ability to phagocytose . This technical term refers to few or unicellular eukaryotes. For example, fungi and algae belong to this group. Furthermore, individual cells of a multicellular organism carry out phagocytosis. As a rule, these take care of intracellular digestion.
The process of phagocytosis is mediated by receptors. The actin cytoskeleton is shown to be the fundamental element involved. The size of the captured particles is relevant in this process. These usually have a size of more than 200 microns.
Phagocytosis is an important process in the body. By eating the smaller cells, the body fights off exogenous antigens. These include bacteria, for example. Dendritic cells that phagocytize antibodies exist specifically in the human body . The fragmented particles are remembered by the MHC-II receptors of the cells in the immune system. If attacked again, they are able to defend themselves against the antigens. Thus, phagocytosis requires the body and the pathogens to work together. This process combines innate and specific immunity.
How does phagocytosis work
During phagocytosis, the feeding cells enclose the antibodies. By invaginating and pinching off the cell membrane, the cells absorb the particles. This creates larger vesicles. These are called phagosomes. Along with lysosomes containing enzyme, they transform into phago-lysosomes. In this final stage of the cell, the enclosed particles are broken down enzymatically.
What makes a phagocyte?
There are different types of cells capable of phagocytosis in the human organism. A large number of these belong to the cells of the immune system. These appear in the form of
- dendritic cells,
- macrophages contained in the tissue,
- monocytes referred to as progenitor cells
- and granulocytes .
The technical term phagocyte means in translation phagocyte. These cells can move freely within the cell plasma. As a rule, the phagocytes are considered to be cell bodies adhering to the tissue. Their subdivision into the three main classes does not refer to the uptake of the various antibodies.
The process in the human body
The entire procedure starts with the non-specific detection of the foreign bodies. First, the phagocytic cells bind this to their membrane. The lectins and surface glycoproteins play an important role in this binding. For cell digestion, the lysosomes and phagosomes fuse together inside the cell. This creates fission products that contain properties of the enclosed foreign bodies. If the organism fights off bacterial pathogens and viruses, phagocytosis plays a major role.
If the eating cells take in foreign bodies that emit danger signals, an inflammatory reaction occurs in the body. Some cells capable of phagocytosis specialize in cell death. By absorbing dangerous antibodies, they prevent tissue damage. There are numerous types of phagocytes . It is therefore considered unlikely that all processes in the body take place simultaneously. The cells that carry out phagocytosis have different receptors. This allows them to recognize different antibodies.
The procedure in the protists
If protozoa ingest a foreign body during phagocytosis, the cell shape changes. This is done by pseudopodia called pseudopods or the process of invagination. This process is called invagination in technical jargon. Through the process, the protozoa enclose the ingested particles in food vacuoles. This is where the actual digestion process begins.
Are there any complications in phagocytosis?
The phagocytosis process is closely related to human immunity. During the procedure, there are multiple interactions between the phagocytes and the introduced foreign bodies. There are various factors that trigger a disease in the process or the mediators needed for it. In order to make a diagnosis in affected patients, anamnesis during phagocytic testing is of great relevance.
Phagocytosis exists as a process of incorporation of foreign bodies and particles. The cells capable of doing this are called phagocytes. They are found in the human organism in the form of granulocytes , monocytes and dendritic cells. In the human body, this process helps against bacterial pathogens, while in protists it aids in digestion.
Sources and literature
http://www.ns-eugenik.de/labor/phago.htm
