| Name: | macrophage |
|---|---|
| Synonyms: | histiocyte |
| Definition: | A mononuclear phagocyte present in variety of tissues, typically differentiated from monocytes, capable of phagocytosing a variety of extracellular particulate material, including immune complexes, microorganisms, and dead cells. |
| Ontology: | Anatomy Ontology [ZFA:0009141] |
| Name: | phagocytosis |
|---|---|
| Synonyms: | |
| Definition: | A vesicle-mediated transport process that results in the engulfment of external particulate material by phagocytes and their delivery to the lysosome. The particles are initially contained within phagocytic vacuoles (phagosomes), which then fuse with primary lysosomes to effect digestion of the particles. |
| Ontology: | GO: Biological Process [GO:0006909] QuickGO AmiGO |