Phagocytosis is a biological process in which certain cells, known as phagocytes, engulf and digest foreign particles, such as bacteria, dead cells, and other debris. This process is a crucial part of the immune response, helping to protect the body from infections and maintain tissue homeostasis. Phagocytes, including macrophages and neutrophils, recognize these particles through specific receptors, engulf them into a membrane-bound vesicle, and then break them down using enzymes.