Difference Between Endocytosis and Phagocytosis

Endocytosis vs Phagocytosis

Cells are said to be the functional unit of organisms such as in humans and animals. Cells are very important among organisms since these constitute the tissues, which constitute the muscles, then organs, followed by body systems.

A cell has its different parts with different functions. Students are already aware of this as early as elementary school. Common parts and functions include: the mitochondria which is the powerhouse of the cell, the lysosomes which are like food storage and much more.

Absorption of nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and other molecules occur at the cellular level. This process happens through endocytosis, exocytosis, and a more specific way is through phagocytosis. Let us try to differentiate “endocytosis” from “phagocytosis.”

“Endocytosis” is defined as the process of engulfing molecules. It has four subcategories which are the clathrin-mediated endocytosis, caveolae, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis. Phagocytosis, on the other hand, is the process of engulfing nutrients with a particular size only which is 0.75 nanometers in diameter. Examples of these are: dust particles, cell debris, and apoptotic cells.

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis involves molecules that are 100 nanometers in diameter in order for them to absorb and digest. Caveolae, on the other hand, absorbs particles that are less than 50 nanometers. Lastly, macropinocytosis engulfs particles sized 0.5-5 nanometers.

Phagocytosis came from the Greek word “phagein” meaning “to devour,” “kytos” meaning “cell” and “-osis” meaning “process” which is totally defined as the process of engulfing solid particles. “Endocytosis” came from the word “endo,” which means “within,” “cyt” meaning “cell” and “-osis” meaning “process.”

Phagocytosis involves the engulfing of solid particles which only can be done through oxygen or non-oxygen dependent processes while endocytosis involves either solid or liquid particles.

Summary:

1.“Phagocytosis” is under “endocytosis.” Endocytosis has four subcategories which include: phagocytosis, clathrin-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and caveolae.
2.“Phagocytosis” came from the Greek word “phagein” meaning “to devour,” “kytos” meaning “cell” and “-osis” meaning “process” which is totally defined as “the process of engulfing solid particles.” “Endocytosis” came from the word “endo” which means “within,” “cyt” meaning “cell,” and “-osis” meaning “process.”
3.Phagocytosis involves the engulfing of solid particles which only can be done through oxygen or non-oxygen dependent processes while endocytosis involves either solid or liquid particles.

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