What is the process by which a macrophage consumes a pathogen called?

The process by which a macrophage consumes a pathogen is called phagocytosis. This is a specific type of endocytosis that involves the engulfing of large particles, such as pathogens like bacteria or dead cells, by immune cells like macrophages. During phagocytosis, the macrophage extends its membrane around the pathogen, enclosing it in a pocket that eventually pinches off to form a vesicle known as a phagosome. This vesicle then fuses with a lysosome, where the pathogen is broken down and digested.

Understanding this process is crucial because it highlights the role of macrophages in the immune response, as they are one of the primary cells that protect the body from infection by actively seeking out and eliminating pathogens. This distinction between phagocytosis and other processes, such as endocytosis, which encompasses a broader range of cellular intake mechanisms, underscores the specialized function of phagocytosis in immune defense.