5) what role does phagocytosis play in the process of innate immunity? course hero

by Kali Kassulke 4 min read

Another function of phagocytosis in the immune system is to ingest and destroy pathogens (like viruses and bacteria) and infected cells. By destroying the infected cells, the immune system limits how quickly the infection can spread and multiply.

Full Answer

What is the role of phagocytosis?

Phagocytosis is a critical part of the immune system. Several types of cells of the immune system perform phagocytosis, such as neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, and B lymphocytes. The act of phagocytizing pathogenic or foreign particles allows cells of the immune system to know what they are fighting against.

Can a macrophage initiate phagocytosis without binding to a virus?

The macrophage will not initiate phagocytosis without successful binding of the cell surface receptors. Viruses can also have surface receptors which can be specific to those on the macrophage.

Why doesn’t phagocytosis happen when the cell is in contact with the particle?

Phagocytosis won’t happen unless the cell is in physical contact with the particle it wants to engulf. The cell surface receptors used for phagocytosis depends on the type of cell that is doing the phagocytizing. These are the most common ones:

What is the function of phagocytes and dendritic cells?

Phagocytes present MHCS on their surface, so if they digest an pathogen, they can present its antigen on the surface and stimulate other cells to produce antibodies and attack the invader. 3. The things sticking out of dendritic cells are called dendrites. I think they are used to allow the cell to interact with multiple T-cells all once.

What role does phagocytosis play in the innate immune system?

In these cells, phagocytosis is a mechanism by which microorganisms can be contained, killed and processed for antigen presentation and represents a vital facet of the innate immune response to pathogens, and plays an essential role in initiating the adaptive immune response.

What role does phagocytosis play in the process of innate immunity quizlet?

~ Phagocytosis= ingestion of particles by eukaryotic cells. Describe the process of phagocytosis, and include the stages of adherence and ingestion. Chemotaxis allows phagocytes to migrate to infection sites and destroy invading bacteria. Phagocytosis is the second line of defense.

What is the role of innate immune immune system?

Innate, or nonspecific, immunity is the defense system with which you were born. It protects you against all antigens. Innate immunity involves barriers that keep harmful materials from entering your body. These barriers form the first line of defense in the immune response.

What is the process of phagocytosis and why is it important?

Phagocytosis is a cellular process for ingesting and eliminating particles larger than 0.5 μm in diameter, including microorganisms, foreign substances, and apoptotic cells. Phagocytosis is found in many types of cells and it is, in consequence an essential process for tissue homeostasis.

What is the role of phagocytes in the inflammatory response?

Phagocytosis is a complex process by which cells within most organ systems remove pathogens and cell debris. Phagocytosis is usually followed by inflammatory pathway activation, which promotes pathogen elimination and inhibits pathogen growth.

How do phagocytic cells protect the body from invading pathogens?

How do phagocytic cells protect the body from invading pathogens? They secrete antibodies into body fluids. They activate complement proteins. They remove and destroy pathogens that breach the membrane barrier.

Which are phagocytic cells?

Phagocytes include neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells (DCs), which have the capacity to engulf and digest relatively large particles on the order of 1–10 µm and even larger. In adults, these cells are generated from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow.

What is innate immune response in biology?

The innate immune responses are the first line of defense against invading pathogens. They are also required to initiate specific adaptive immune responses. Innate immune responses rely on the body's ability to recognize conserved features of pathogens that are not present in the uninfected host.

What are the 3 components of innate immunity?

The innate immune system can be categorized into three defense mechanisms: (1) physical barriers, (2) cellular components, and (3) humoral responses (15). As will be discussed, the functions of these defense mechanisms are highly conserved between fish and mammals.

What is phagocytosis and innate immunity?

Phagocytosis is an evolutionarily conserved process utilized by many cells to ingest microbial pathogens, and apoptotic and necrotic corpses. Recent investigation has revealed a fundamental requirement for two co-ordinated cellular processes--cytoskeletal alterations and membrane trafficking--in the ….

What is the process of phagocytosis?

Phagocytosis is an evolutionarily conserved process utilized by many cells to ingest microbial pathogens, and apoptotic and necrotic corpses. Recent investigation has revealed a fundamental requirement for two co-ordinated cellular processes--cytoskeletal alterations and membrane trafficking--in the phagocytic event.

What are the receptors used in phagocytosis?

The cell surface receptors used for phagocytosis depends on the type of cell that is doing the phagocytizing. These are the most common ones: Opsonin receptors : Opsonin receptors are used to bind bacteria or other particles that have been coated with immunoglobulin G (or “IgG”) antibodies by the immune system.

What is the role of macrophages in phagocytosis?

Instead of moving the large item across the plasma membrane, which might damage the membrane permanently, phagocytosis uses extensions of the cy toplasm (pseudopods) to surround the particle and enclose it in a membrane.

How does phagocytosis differ from other methods of endocytosis?

Phagocytosis differs from other methods of endocytosis because it is very specific and depends on the cell being able to bind to the item it wants to engulf by way of cell surface receptors. Phagocytosis won’t happen unless the cell is in physical contact with the particle it wants to engulf.

Why is the infected cell destroyed?

Once this happens, the infected cell is identified and destroyed by other cells of the immune system in order to stop viral replication and infection. Figure of virus binding to cell surface receptors on a macrophage. The macrophage starts to surround the virus and engulf it into the cell.

How do viruses interact with the immune system?

Viruses need to access the host cell’s cytoplasm or nucleus in order to replicate and cause an infection, so they use their surface receptors to interact with immune system cells and exploit the immune response for entry into the cell. Sometimes, when a virus and a host cell interact, the host cell is able to successfully destroy the virus and stop the spread of infection. Other times, the host cell engulfs the virus, and the virus tricks the cell, gaining access to what it needs to replicate. Once this happens, the infected cell is identified and destroyed by other cells of the immune system in order to stop viral replication and infection.

Why does lowering the pH of a phagolysosome kill it?

Lowering the pH makes the environment inside the phagolysosome makes it very acidic. This is an effective way of killing or neutralizing whatever is inside the phagolysosome so it cannot infect them cell . Some viruses actually exploit the lowered pH to escape the phagolysosome and start replicating inside the cell.

What are some receptors?

Some receptors are general, meaning that they can identify a self-produced molecule versus a potential threat (and that’s about it), and others are very specific, like toll-like receptors or antibodies. The macrophage will not initiate phagocytosis without successful binding of the cell surface receptors.

How does the innate immune system work?

The innate immune system works to fight off pathogens before they can start an active infection. For some cases, the innate immune response is not enough, or the pathogen is able to exploit the innate immune response for a way into the host cells. In such situations, the innate immune system works with the adaptive immune system to reduce the severity of infection, and to fight off any additional invaders while the adaptive immune system is busy destroying the initial infection.

What is the term for the immune system's non-reactivity to self particles?

The non-reactivity of the immune system to self particles is called tolerance . Non-self refers to particles that are not made by your body, and are recognized as potentially harmful. These are sometimes called foreign bodies. Non-self particles or bodies can be bacteria, viruses, parasites, pollen, dust, and toxic chemicals.

How does the complement cascade work?

The steps of the complement cascade facilitate the search for and removal of antigens by placing them in large clumps, making it easier for other aspects of the immune system to do their jobs. Remember that the complement system is a supplemental cascade of proteins that assists, or “complements” the other aspects of the innate immune system.

What is an antigen?

Antigens are anything that causes an immune response. Antigens can be entire pathogens, like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, or smaller proteins that pathogens express. Antigens are like a name tag for each pathogen that announce the pathogens’ presence to your immune system.

Why are macrophages important?

The ability to roam outside of the circulatory system is important, because it allows macrophages to hunt pathogens with less limits.

How does agglutination work?

Agglutination: Agglutination uses antibodies to cluster and bind pathogens together, much like a cowboy rounds up his cattle. By bringing as many pathogens together in the same area, the cells of the immune system can mount an attack and weaken the infection.

What is the term for a particle that is not targeted by the immune system?

Self refers to particles, such as proteins and other molecules, that are a part of, or made by, your body. They can be found circulating in your blood or attached to different tissues. Something that is self should not be targeted and destroyed by the immune system. The non-reactivity of the immune system to self particles is called tolerance.