What is the process called in which phagocytes ingest bacteria or other material?

Phagocytosis is the process by which certain cells, known as phagocytes, ingest or engulf other cells or particles, such as bacteria, dead cell debris, and foreign substances. This is a crucial part of the immune response, as phagocytes play a pivotal role in defending the body against infections and clearing away harmful debris. During phagocytosis, the phagocyte surrounds the material to be consumed and then internalizes it within a protective vesicle called a phagosome, where it can be broken down and eliminated.

The term "absorption" refers to the process by which substances are taken up by cells or tissues, primarily in the context of nutrients or fluids moving into cells or the bloodstream, rather than the active ingestion of whole particles.

Exocytosis is the reverse process of endocytosis, where materials are expelled from a cell. It involves the fusion of vesicles containing the material with the cell membrane, releasing their contents outside the cell.

Sorption generally describes the physical process of one substance attracting and holding onto another, including both adsorption (surface attachment) and absorption (internal uptake), but it does not specifically refer to the active ingestion mechanism employed by phagocytes.

Understanding these definitions helps to clarify why ph