phagocytosis

/ˌfeɪɡəʊsaɪˈtəʊsɪs/

Meanings

noun

A form of endocytosis in which a cell incorporates a particle by extending pseudopodia and drawing the particle into a vacuole of its cytoplasm.

Examples :

"A white blood cell uses phagocytosis to engulf and destroy harmful bacteria in the body. "

Related Words

vacuole noun

/ˈvækjʊˌəʊl/

A large membrane-bound vesicle in a cell's cytoplasm.

"The plant cell's vacuole was filled with water, making the lettuce crisp. "

engulf verb

/ɪnˈɡʌlf/ /ɛnˈɡʌlf/

To overwhelm.

"The fire quickly engulfed the entire forest. "

harmful adjective

/ˈhɑːmfl̩/ /ˈhɑɹmfl̩/

Of a kind likely to be damaging; injurious

"Wear a hat to protect your skin from harmful sunlight."

destroy verb

/dɪˈstɹɔɪ/

To damage beyond use or repair.

"Hooligans destroy unprovoked."

pseudopodia noun

/ˌsjuːdəˈpoʊdiə/ /ˌpsjuːdəˈpoʊdiə/

A temporary projection of the cytoplasm of certain cells, such as phagocytes, or of certain unicellular organisms, such as amoebas, that serves in locomotion.

"The amoeba moved across the microscope slide by extending its pseudopodia. "

cytoplasm noun

/ˈsaɪtəʊˌplæzəm/ /ˈsaɪtoʊˌplæzəm/

The contents of a cell except for the nucleus. It includes cytosol, organelles, vesicles, and the cytoskeleton.

"The cytoplasm within the cell provides a space for the organelles to move and carry out their functions. "

incorporates verb

/ɪnˈkɔːrpəreɪts/ /ɪŋˈkɔːrpəreɪts/

To include (something) as a part.

"The design of his house incorporates a spiral staircase."

particle noun

/ˈpɑːtɪk(ə)l/ /ˈpɑɹtɪkəl/

A very small piece of matter, a fragment; especially, the smallest possible part of something.

"The scientist studied the tiny particle of dust. "

bacteria noun

/bækˈtɪəɹ.ɪ.ə/ /bækˈtɪɹ.i.ə/

A type, species, or strain of bacterium.

"The doctor identified the specific bacteria causing the student's illness. "

extending verb

/ɛkˈstɛndɪŋ/

To increase in extent.

"The company is extending its office hours to better serve customers. "

endocytosis noun

/ˌɛndoʊsaɪˈtoʊsɪs/ /ˌɛndəsaɪˈtoʊsɪs/

The process by which the plasma membrane of a cell folds inwards to ingest material.

"A white blood cell uses endocytosis to engulf and destroy bacteria. "

drawing verb

/ˈdɹɔ.(w)ɪŋ(ɡ)/

To move or develop something.

"The team is drawing up a new plan for the project. "