Phagocytosis and the role of lysosomes and lysosomal enzymes in the subsequent destruction of ingested pathogens.

Phagocytes are white blood cells. They destroy bacteria by engulfing them and breaking them down- this process is called phagocytosis.

The phagocyte recognises a pathogen because of its chemical products and so moves towards it.

It then binds with the pathogen and begins to engulf (wrap around) it- by doing this it forms a vesicle (sac) with the phagocyte inside it know as a phagosome.

Lysosomes (vesicles with enzymes inside) release digestive enzymes into the phagosome, this means that it can be broken down. Useful products are absorbed by the cell and others are excreted.