What is the difference between phagocytosis and pinocytosis?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Phagocytosis

Pinocytosis

Definition

Phagocytosis is the ingestion of solid particles into the cell by phagocytes

Pinocytosis is the ingestion of liquid droplets into the cell by small vesicles

Particle size

Typically involves the uptake of particles larger than 0.5 micrometers in diameter

Typically involves the uptake of particles less than 0.2 micrometers in diameter

Type of vesicle formed

Phagosomes are formed

Pinosomes are formed

Occurrence in body

Mostly found in the immune cells of the body

Typically occurs in almost all cells of the body

Exocytosis occurrence

Exocytosis occurs at the end of the process

Exocytosis does not occur

Process type

Is a triggered process involving receptors such as IgG

Is a continuous process

Mechanism

Pseudopodia are used to sense targets which can be engulfed

Small particles suspended in extracellular fluid are brought into the cell through the invagination of the lipid cell membrane

Function

Generally used for the defensive purposes of the cell

Used in order to ingest crucial matter

Involvement of lysosomes

Lysosomes are involved

Lysosomes are not involved

Basis of differentiation	Phagocytosis	Pinocytosis
Definition	Phagocytosis is the ingestion of solid particles into the cell by phagocytes	Pinocytosis is the ingestion of liquid droplets into the cell by small vesicles
Particle size	Typically involves the uptake of particles larger than 0.5 micrometers in diameter	Typically involves the uptake of particles less than 0.2 micrometers in diameter
Type of vesicle formed	Phagosomes are formed	Pinosomes are formed
Occurrence in body	Mostly found in the immune cells of the body	Typically occurs in almost all cells of the body
Exocytosis occurrence	Exocytosis occurs at the end of the process	Exocytosis does not occur
Process type	Is a triggered process involving receptors such as IgG	Is a continuous process
Mechanism	Pseudopodia are used to sense targets which can be engulfed	Small particles suspended in extracellular fluid are brought into the cell through the invagination of the lipid cell membrane
Function	Generally used for the defensive purposes of the cell	Used in order to ingest crucial matter
Involvement of lysosomes	Lysosomes are involved	Lysosomes are not involved