Question

What are the steps for a neutrophil phagocytosiing and killing a microbe?

Answer 1

The steps for a neutrophil phagocytizing and killing a microbe involves extending its plasma membrane to envelop the microbe, forming a phagosome, which then fuses with a lysosome to form a phagolysosome. Digestive enzymes and acids in the lysosome kill and digest the microbe, and the debris is excreted through exocytosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a neutrophil phagocytizes and kills a microbe, it goes through several steps:

1. The neutrophil extends its plasma membrane, wrapping it around the microbe until it is enveloped.
2. The microbe becomes enclosed within an intracellular vesicle called a phagosome.
3. The phagosome fuses with a vesicle called a lysosome, forming a phagolysosome.
4. Digestive enzymes and acids from the lysosome kill and digest the microbe in the phagolysosome.
5. The soluble debris from the destroyed microbe is excreted through exocytosis.