Which type of endocytosis involves large particles entering the cell, such as food particles or another cell?

Which type of endocytosis involves large particles entering the cell, such as food particles or another cell?

• A. Endocytosis
• B. Phagocytosis
• C. Pinocytosis
• D. Exocytosis

Answer: (B)

Phagocytosis is the form of endocytosis that handles large particles entering the cell. The cell extends membrane around the particle with pseudopods, engulfing it to form a phagosome. The phagosome then fuses with a lysosome where digestive enzymes break down the contents. This is different from pinocytosis, which takes in extracellular fluid and dissolved solutes in small vesicles, and from exocytosis, which exports materials out of the cell.

Phagocytosis is the form of endocytosis that handles large particles entering the cell. The cell extends membrane around the particle with pseudopods, engulfing it to form a phagosome. The phagosome then fuses with a lysosome where digestive enzymes break down the contents. This is different from pinocytosis, which takes in extracellular fluid and dissolved solutes in small vesicles, and from exocytosis, which exports materials out of the cell.