verb
- to engulf and digest foreign particles, bacteria, or cellular debris by phagocytosis
Usage: biology; technical
Examples
- White blood cells phagocytose harmful bacteria to protect the body from infection.
- Macrophages phagocytose dead cells and cellular debris during tissue repair.
- The immune system relies on specialized cells that can phagocytose pathogens.
- Amoebas phagocytose food particles by surrounding them with their cell membrane.
- Neutrophils quickly phagocytose invading microorganisms at infection sites.
- Some cells phagocytose worn-out organelles to recycle cellular components.