What is the Difference Between Phagocytosis and Pinocytosis?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Phagocytosis and pinocytosis are both forms of endocytosis, which is the process by which a cell engulfs and internalizes substances. However, they differ in the size of the particles they engulf and the function they serve:
Phagocytosis:
- Involves the ingestion of large particles, such as bacteria, cell debris, and foreign substances, by means of large vesicles.
- Typically engulfs particles larger than 0.5 micrometers in diameter.
- Mainly found in immune cells, such as macrophages and monocytes, as a defense mechanism against pathogens.
- Requires the involvement of lysosomes to break down the engulfed particles.
Pinocytosis:
- Involves the internalization of extracellular fluid and small macromolecules by means of small vesicles.
- Typically engulfs particles less than 0.2 micrometers in diameter.
- Occurs in almost all cell types.
- Does not require the involvement of lysosomes, as the ingested substances are already dissolved.
In summary, phagocytosis is mainly used for defensive purposes and involves the engulfment of large particles, while pinocytosis is a more general process that engulfs smaller particles and serves various functions, such as nutrient uptake and immune surveillance.
Comparative Table: Phagocytosis vs Pinocytosis
Here is a table comparing the differences between phagocytosis and pinocytosis:
Feature | Phagocytosis | Pinocytosis |
---|---|---|
Definition | Cellular intake of solid material | Cellular intake of fluid |
Particle Size | Typically involves the uptake of particles larger than 0.5 micrometers in diameter | Typically involves the uptake of particles less than 0.2 micrometers in diameter |
Cell Types | Most commonly immune cells | Almost all cell types |
Role | Immune response, nutrient uptake | Immune surveillance, nutrient uptake |
Examples | Macrophages | Skin cells |
Vesicle Formation | Phagosomes are formed | Pinosomes are formed |
Occurrence in Body | Mostly found in the immune cells of the body | Typically occurs in almost all cells of the body |
Exocytosis | Exocytosis occurs at the end of the process | Exocytosis does not occur |
Mechanism | Pseudopodia are used to sense targets which can be engulfed | Small particles suspended in extracellular fluid are brought into the cell through the invagination |
Lysosomes | Lysosomes are involved | Lysosomes are not involved |
Phagocytosis is a specialized process by which cells engulf relatively large, solid material, and is mainly performed by immune cells like macrophages. Pinocytosis, on the other hand, is a process where cells ingest fluid and is performed by almost all cell types.
- Endocytosis vs Phagocytosis
- Pinocytosis vs Receptor Mediated Endocytosis
- Chemotaxis vs Phagocytosis
- Endocytosis vs Transcytosis
- Endocytosis vs Exocytosis
- Phagolysosome vs Phagosome
- Phagocytosis vs Opsonization
- Endocytosis vs Receptor Mediated Endocytosis
- Phagocytes vs Lymphocytes
- Imbibition vs Osmosis
- Lysosome vs Vacuole
- Endocytosis vs Endoreduplication
- Vacuoles vs Vesicles
- Endosome vs Lysosome
- Choanocytes vs Pinacocytes
- Phytosomes vs Liposomes
- Microphage vs Macrophage
- Isotonic vs Isosmotic
- Digestion vs Absorption