2006-10-29 22:51:07 · 3 answers · asked by Anusherin 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
A small phagocyte.
2006-10-29 22:55:41 · answer #1 · answered by raj 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both the two previous answers are correct. However the first is pretty short and the second explains MACROphages, not MICROphages.
A microphage ("small eater") is a small cell that ingests and destroys foreign matter such as microorganisms, debris, or dead cells by a process known as phagocytosis.
They are like mini-garbage-eaters in your body.
An example is a neutrophil, which is an abundant white blood cell in your body that is highly destructive of microorganisms and important to your body's immune defense.
2006-10-30 00:24:57 · answer #2 · answered by LadyPom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Macrophages (Greek: "big eaters", makros = large, phagein = eat) are cells within the tissues that originate from specific white blood cells called monocytes. Monocytes and macrophages are phagocytes, acting in both nonspecific defence (or innate immunity) as well as specific defence (or cell-mediated immunity) of vertebrate animals. Their role is to phagocytize (engulf and then digest) cellular debris and pathogens either as stationary or mobile cells, and to stimulate lymphocytes and other immune cells to respond to the pathogen.
2006-10-29 22:58:58 · answer #3 · answered by gracious_78 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋