phag·o·cyte (f g  -s t )n. A cell, such as a white blood cell, that engulfs and absorbs waste material, harmful microorganisms, or other foreign bodies in the bloodstream and tissues. phag o·cytic (-s tk) adj. |
phagocyte [ˈfægəˌsaɪt]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Physiology) an amoeboid cell or protozoan that engulfs particles, such as food substances or invading microorganisms
phagocytic [ˌfægəˈsɪtɪk] adj
| phagocyte (fg-st) 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.  The process by which phagocytes engulf and break down bacteria or particles is called phagocytosis (fg-s-t ss). 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. |
phagocyte
a blood cell that ingests and destroys bacteria, foreign particles and other cells in the bloodstream. — phagocytic, adj.
See also: Blood and Blood Vessels
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  phagocyte - a cell that engulfs and digests debris and invading microorganismssomatic cell, vegetative cell - any of the cells of a plant or animal except the reproductive cells; a cell that does not participate in the production of gametes; "somatic cells are produced from preexisting cells"; macrophage - a large phagocyte; some are fixed and other circulate in the blood stream fixed phagocyte - a phagocyte that does not circulate in the blood but is fixed in the liver or spleen or bone marrow etc. free phagocyte - a phagocyte that circulates in the blood |
Translations
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