High School

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When a pathogen enters the body, it may be destroyed by phagocytosis. Describe how this process occurs.

Answer :

Final answer:

Phagocytosis is the process by which phagocytes, such as white blood cells, engulf and destroy pathogens by forming a phagosome, fusing it with a lysosome to create a phagolysosome, and digesting the pathogen with enzymes before excreting undigested material.

Explanation:

When a pathogen enters the body, it may be destroyed by phagocytosis. This process involves several steps. Initially, a type of white blood cell known as a phagocyte recognizes and attaches to the pathogen. The phagocyte then extends its plasma membrane to envelop the pathogen, leading to the formation of a vesicle called a phagosome inside the phagocyte. This phagosome fuses with a lysosome, a vesicle containing digestive enzymes and acids, to form a phagolysosome. The contents of the lysosome effectively kill and digest the pathogen within the phagolysosome. Lastly, any undigested matter is expelled from the phagocyte by exocytosis, thereby completing the process of phagocytosis.

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