Changes

To then either kill the pathogens or digest the dead cells, '''lysosomes''', which contain a large range of enzymes, fuse with the phagosome to form the '''lysophagosome'''. One example of a process that occurs in these vesicles is oxygen-dependent degradation which utilizes oxygen (O₂^-) and chlorine (Cl*) free-radicals, hydrogen peroxide (OH), and nitric oxide (NO) to degrade the contents within the lysophagosome. The essential enzyme within this process is NADPH oxidase. In humans, the lethal genetic disease chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is caused by the lack of NADPH oxidase in the phagocytes, with sufferers rarely living past their mid-twenties (with the help of antibiotics), usually succumbing to lung infection.

To then either kill the pathogens or digest the dead cells, '''lysosomes''', which contain a large range of enzymes, fuse with the phagosome to form the '''lysophagosome'''. One example of a process that occurs in these vesicles is oxygen-dependent degradation which utilizes oxygen (O₂^-) and chlorine (Cl*) free-radicals, hydrogen peroxide (OH), and nitric oxide (NO) to degrade the contents within the lysophagosome. The essential enzyme within this process is NADPH oxidase. In humans, the lethal genetic disease chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is caused by the lack of NADPH oxidase in the phagocytes, with sufferers rarely living past their mid-twenties (with the help of antibiotics) usually succumbing to lung infection.

   

   

To then complete the phagocytic process, microbes are then digested by a number of different catabolic enzymes

To then complete the phagocytic process, microbes are then digested by a number of different catabolic enzymes:

* Glycosidases: Digest carbohydrates

* Glycosidases: Digest carbohydrates

* Lipases: Digest lipids

* Lipases: Digest lipids

The main effector cells of this process are the [[Neutrophils|Neutrophils]] and [[Macrophages|macrophages]] which recognise the pathogens, or with the case of macrophages, cells that have undergone apoptosis too. Phagocytic cells target pathogens by using cell membrane receptors ("Pathogen Recognition Receptors") that recognise intrinsically foreign components of microorganisms (pathogen-associated molecular patterns; PAMPs); or those that have been opsonised with either [[Complement|complement components]], in particular C3bi, or [[Antibodies|antibodies]]; or with the case of cells that have undergone apoptosis, externalised phosphatidylserine.

The main effector cells of this process are the [[neutrophils|Neutrophils]] and [[Macrophages|macrophages]] which recognise the pathogens, or with the case of macrophages, cells that have undergone apoptosis too. Phagocytic cells target pathogens by using cell membrane receptors ("Pathogen Recognition Receptors") that recognise intrinsically foreign components of microorganisms (pathogen-associated molecular patterns; PAMPs); or those that have been opsonised with either [[Complement|complement component C3bi]] or [[Immunoglobulins|antibodies]]; or with the case of cells that have undergone apoptosis, externalised phosphatidylserine (a phospholipid in the cell membrane).

   

   

==Links==

==Links==