Phagocytosis vs. Pinocytosis

Phagocytosisnoun

A form of endocytosis in which a cell incorporates a particle by extending pseudopodia and drawing the particle into a vacuole of its cytoplasm.

Phagocytosisnoun

process in which phagocytes engulf and digest microorganisms and cellular debris; an important defense against infection

Phagocytosis

Phagocytosis (from Ancient Greek φαγεῖν (phagein) 'to eat', and κύτος, (kytos) 'cell') is the process by which a cell uses its plasma membrane to engulf a large particle (≥ 0.5 μm), giving rise to an internal compartment called the phagosome. It is one type of endocytosis.

Pinocytosisnoun

(biology) A form of endocytosis in which material enters a cell through its membrane and is incorporated in vesicles for digestion.

Pinocytosisnoun

process by which certain cells can engulf and incorporate droplets of fluid

Pinocytosis

In cellular biology, pinocytosis, otherwise known as fluid endocytosis and bulk-phase pinocytosis, is a mode of endocytosis in which small particles suspended in extracellular fluid are brought into the cell through an invagination of the cell membrane, resulting in a suspension of the particles within a small vesicle inside the cell. These pinocytotic vesicles then typically fuse with early endosomes to hydrolyze (break down) the particles.