phagocyte

/'fægəsait/

Thân thiện

A white blood cell acts as a phagocyte, engulfing harmful bacteria.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cell that engulfs and digests debris and invading microorganisms: A phagocyte is a type of cell within the body capable of surrounding, engulfing, and destroying harmful particles, such as bacteria, dead cells, and other foreign substances, as part of the immune response.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Macrophages are a type of phagocyte that patrol the body for pathogens.
  • The phagocyte efficiently destroyed the invading bacteria.
  • A key function of the immune system is carried out by the phagocyte.

Advanced Usage

• Professional Context: In medical and biological texts, "phagocyte" is a standard term for cells performing phagocytosis.
  • The patient's blood test showed a high count of phagocytes, indicating an active infection.

Variants and Related Words

• Phagocytic (adj): Relating to or characteristic of phagocytes.
  • Neutrophils have strong phagocytic activity.
• Phagocytosis (n): The process by which a phagocyte engulfs and digests particles.
  • Phagocytosis is a crucial mechanism for clearing infections.

Synonyms

• Scavenger cell: A descriptive synonym emphasizing the cell's role in cleaning up debris.
• Engulfing cell: A term describing the primary action of the cell.

Related Phrases and Terms

• Professional/Technical Phrases:
  • Professional Phrase: Professional phagocyte: Refers to immune cells whose primary role is phagocytosis, such as macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells.

    • Neutrophils are considered professional phagocytes.
  • Professional Phrase: Phagocyte dysfunction: A condition where phagocytes do not work properly, leading to increased susceptibility to infections.

    • Chronic granulomatous disease is caused by phagocyte dysfunction.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a cell that engulfs and digests debris and invading microorganisms

Từ đồng nghĩa

• scavenger cell