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