Phagocyte

A phagocyte is a cell that ingests and destroys foreign matter such as microorganisms or debris via a process known as phagocytosis, in which these cells ingest and kill offending cells by a process analogous to cellular digestion, usually using lysosomes which carry potent enzymes that digests cell components such as other lipids or proteins. These phagocytes are extremely useful as an initial immune system response to tissue damage.

The word 'phagocyte' literally means 'eating cell', originating from the Greek word 'phagein', meaning 'eat'.

They are also involved in cell death, usually programmed cell death through apoptosis, in which the phagocytes are responsible for cleaning up the debris and effectively "recycling" the dead cell parts. They are capable of cleaning up the debris of necrosis, but this is less orderly than apoptosis. Because the resulting disorder makes it more difficult to pick up debris, and unlike apoptosis, cells which undergo necrosis does not transmit the proper signals that alert phagocytes to a dying cell, and therefore is less effective.