Phagocytosis and Innate Immunity

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to phagocytosis, innate immunity, and the function of neutrophils and macrophages.

Phagocytosis

The ability of some cells to ingest foreign particles; literally, 'eating by cells'.

Phagocyte

A class of cells capable of ingestion and killing of microorganisms that provoke an inflammatory response.

Neutrophil

The first type of professional phagocyte to accumulate at the site of infection.

Chemotaxis

The delivery of phagocytic cells to the site of infection.

Opsonization

The coating of pathogens in positively charged materials (opsonins) that facilitates the adherence and ingestion of bacteria by phagocytes.

Lysosome

An organelle that contains enzymes for digesting cellular waste and pathogens.

Phagolysosome

The digestive vacuole formed by the fusion of a phagosome and lysosomal granules, where killing and digestion of the engulfed microbe takes place.

Respiratory burst

An oxidative metabolism process in phagocytes resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species for microbial killing.

M1 macrophage

A class of activated macrophages associated with inflammatory responses and increased microbial killing.

M2 macrophage

A class of macrophages associated with tissue repair and decreased microbial killing.