Phagocytosis of pathogens and subsequent destruction by lysozymes
Phagocytes are white blood cells that engulf pathogens whole. They then use digestive enzymes called lysozymes to break the pathogen apart and destroy it.
Real World
Neutrophils — the most abundant phagocyte in human blood — can engulf and destroy Staphylococcus aureus (the bacterium behind many hospital infections) within minutes of detection, releasing lysozymes that hydrolyse the bacterial cell wall.
Exam Focus
Sequence the steps of phagocytosis in order (engulfment → phagosome → lysosome fusion → digestion); mark schemes reward correct sequence, not just named stages.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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