interpret phagocytsis in unicellular amoeba
Answers
Phagocytosis process is a specific type of endocytosis, that involves vesicular internalization of solid particles, such as bacteria, unlike other endocytosis process that involve vesicular internalization of liquids. Certain unicellular organisms, such as the protists, use this particular process as means of feeding. It provides them part or all of their nourishment. This mode of nutrition is known as phagotrophic nutrition. In amoeba, phagocytosis takes place by engulfing the nutrient with the help of pseudopods, that are present all over the cell, whereas, in ciliates, a specialized groove or chamber, known as the cytostome, is present, where the process takes place. Other examples of phagocytosis include some immune system cells, that engulf and kill certain harmful, infectious micro-organisms and other unwanted foreign materials. Mammalian immune system contains certain phagocytes that helps them to destroy and get rid of pathogenic bacteria and other infectious organisms. In these cells, the engulfment of foreign material is facilitated by actin-myosin contractile system. It allows the cell membrane to expand in order to engulf the particle and then contract immediately, ingesting it.