phagocyte

American  

[fag-uh-sahyt] / ˈfæg əˌsaɪt /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. any cell, as a macrophage, that ingests and destroys foreign particles, bacteria, and cell debris.

---

phagocyte British  

/ ˈfæɡəˌsaɪt, ˌfæɡəˈsɪtɪk /

noun

1. an amoeboid cell or protozoan that engulfs particles, such as food substances or invading microorganisms

---

phagocyte Scientific  

/ făg′ə-sīt′ /

1. Any of various organisms or specialized cells that engulf and ingest other cells or particles. In vertebrate animals, phagocytes are white blood cells that break down bacteria and other microorganisms, foreign particles, and cellular debris. These include monocytes, macrophages, and most granulocytes.

2. ◆ The process by which phagocytes engulf and break down bacteria or particles is called phagocytosis (făg′ə-sī-tō|||PRIMARY_STRESS|||sĭs). During phagocytosis the cell encloses foreign material and the extracellular fluid surrounding it by an infolding of a part of the cell membrane, which then pinches off to form a vesicle, called a phagosome. The phagosomes fuse with lysosomes, resulting in digestion of the ingested matter. Unicellular protists such as amoebas ingest food by the process of phagocytosis.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonphagocytic adjective
• phagocytic adjective

Etymology

Origin of phagocyte

First recorded in 1880–85; phago- + -cyte

Example Sentences

Normally, when an invading pathogen encounters a phagocyte -- a type of white blood cell responsible for destroying bacteria, viruses and other types of foreign particles -- it is caught and ingested by the phagocyte.

From Science Daily • Dec. 1, 2023

The specific phagocyte T. gondii likes to attack is called a dendritic cell.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2022

This brings the phagocyte and bacterium into close proximity and enhances the phagocytosis of the bacterium by the process known as opsonization.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The phagocyte takes the organism inside itself as a phagosome, which subsequently fuses with a lysosome and its digestive enzymes, effectively killing many pathogens.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

It has also been found that the phagocyte and tissue cells in the neighborhood of the area of irritation produce antipoisons or natural antitoxins, which neutralize the bacterial poisons and kill the microorganisms of disease.

From Nature Cure by Lindlahr, Henry