Which process is described as 'cell eating'?

Which process is described as 'cell eating'?

• A. Endocytosis
• B. Pinocytosis
• C. Phagocytosis
• D. Exocytosis

Answer: (C)

Cell eating is phagocytosis. In this process the cell extends its membrane around a large particle, such as a bacterium or debris, and engulfs it into a membrane-bound vesicle called a phagosome. The phagosome then typically fuses with a lysosome, where digestive enzymes break down the content. This action is characteristic of specialized cells like macrophages and neutrophils that defend against infection and clear dead cells. Phagocytosis is a specific form of endocytosis focused on large particles. Endocytosis, in general, includes taking in materials via vesicles, but can involve smaller particles as well. Pinocytosis, often described as cell drinking, takes up extracellular fluid and dissolved solutes in small vesicles. Exocytosis is the opposite process, exporting materials out of the cell.

Cell eating is phagocytosis. In this process the cell extends its membrane around a large particle, such as a bacterium or debris, and engulfs it into a membrane-bound vesicle called a phagosome. The phagosome then typically fuses with a lysosome, where digestive enzymes break down the content. This action is characteristic of specialized cells like macrophages and neutrophils that defend against infection and clear dead cells.

Phagocytosis is a specific form of endocytosis focused on large particles. Endocytosis, in general, includes taking in materials via vesicles, but can involve smaller particles as well. Pinocytosis, often described as cell drinking, takes up extracellular fluid and dissolved solutes in small vesicles. Exocytosis is the opposite process, exporting materials out of the cell.