How does phagocytosis work?

The phagocyte will be attracted to a pathogen and move to it via chemotaxis. The phagocyte then engulfs the pathogen. Once the pathogen is inside the phagocyte, it is enclosed in a phagosome (essentially a bubble to contain the pathogen). The phagosome then fuses with a lysosome, becoming a phagolysosome. The lysosome releases its enzymes, lysozymes, which break down the pathogen. The waste products are then absorbed by phagocyte so they are no longer harmful to the body.

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Answered by Catherine W. Biology tutor

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