Question

Which of the following statements best predicts the likely outcome of the scenario described?

A) The bacteria will be dissolved in the protein-coated vesicle.
B) The bacteria will escape "being eaten" by the white blood cells.
C) The bacteria will be destroyed by molecules transported by receptors.
D) The bacteria will be ejected out of the cell by a vesicle that fuses with the membrane.

Answer 1

The bacteria will be dissolved in the protein-coated vesicle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best prediction for the likely outcome of the scenario described is option A) The bacteria will be dissolved in the protein-coated vesicle.

During phagocytosis, the phagocyte engulfs the bacteria in a vesicle called a phagosome. This phagosome then fuses with a lysosome to form a phagolysosome, where digestive enzymes break down the bacteria. In this scenario, the bacteria secrete a protein that prevents fusion with the lysosome, so it will be dissolved within the protein-coated vesicle and digested.