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What are the differences between phagolysosomes and phagosomes?
Posted October 2, 2023

Answer

Phagolysosomes:

  • Are membrane-bound cytoplasmic bodies formed by the fusion of a lysosome and a phagosome
  • Are formed after the formation of the phagosome
  • Contain engulfed material as well as lysosomal materials 
  • Play an important role in digesting engulfed materials 
  • Are microbicidal as they contain hydrolytic enzymes

Phagosomes: 

  • Are membrane-bound vesicles formed around solid extracellular particles engulfed by a phagocytic cell during phagocytosis
  • Are formed at the onset of phagocytosis
  • Contain only engulfed substances
  • Play an important role in taking up unwanted materials inside the cell
  • Are not microbicidal