Here's why:
* Phagocytosis is the process where a cell engulfs and digests particles, including invading bacteria, viruses, and cellular debris.
* Phagocytes are the cells that perform phagocytosis.
There are several types of phagocytes in the immune system, including:
* Neutrophils: The most common type of phagocyte. They are the first responders to infection and are particularly effective at killing bacteria.
* Macrophages: Larger phagocytes that can engulf larger particles. They also play a role in presenting antigens to other immune cells.
* Dendritic cells: Specialized phagocytes that present antigens to T cells, which are crucial for activating the adaptive immune response.
So, while all phagocytes surround and kill invading cells, the specific term that describes this process is phagocytosis, and the cells that perform this function are phagocytes.
