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In cellular Biology, pinocytosis ("cell-drinking", "bulk-phase pinocytosis", "non-specific, non-absorptive pinocytosis", "fluid endocytosis") is a form of endocytosis in which small particles are brought into the cell-forming an invagination, and then suspended within small vesicles that subsequently fuse with lysosomes to hydrolyze, or to break down, the particles. This process requires a lot of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate, the chemical compound used as energy in the majority of cells. Pinocytosis is used primarily for the absorption of extracellular fluids (ECF), and, in contrast to phagocytosis, generates very small vesicles. Unlike receptor-mediated endocytosis, pinocytosis is nonspecific in the substances that it transports. The cell takes in surrounding fluids, including all solutes present. Pinocytosis also works as phagocytosis, the only difference being that phagocytosis is specific in the substances it transports. Phagocytosis actually engulfs whole particles, which are later broken down by enzymes, such as lysosomes, and absorbed into the cells. Pinocytosis, on the other hand, is when the cell engulfs already-dissolved or broken-down food.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoPhagocytosis is mediated by macrophages and polymorphonuclear leucocytes.
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How do cells get into and out of the cells?
in an animal cell, substances get into the cell by transport proteins in the membrane that can be active or passive. some molecules can freely defuse across the membrane (for example oxygen and carbon dioxide) and cells can also take up large molecules using a process called endocytosis (exocytosis is the inverse). the only way for a cell to be taken up by a cell is phygocytosis, for example, bacterial cells may be phagocytosed by a human macrophage. some bacteria have become very specialised at surviving in this environment (most die from the macrophage attacking it once it has been taken up) and stand only a small chance of managing to exit the macrophage (often after it has died).
