phagosome Biol.
(ˈfægəʊsəʊm)
[f. phagocyte + -some4.]
A vacuole formed in the cytoplasm of a cell when a particle is phagocytosed and enclosed within a part of the cell membrane.
| 1958 W. Straus in Jrnl. Biophysical & Biochem. Cytol. IV. 548 The uptake of proteins is probably the function of certain intracellular granules related to the droplets of kidney cells. The term ‘phagosomes’ is suggested for these granules. (If these granules, characterized by segregating ability, are found to be identical with the ‘lysosomes’, the latter term can be used as a common nomenclature.) 1974 Nature 22 Nov. 305/2 If these processes engage in phagocytosis, phagosomes containing groups of cone disks should be observed within their cytoplasm. |
Hence phagoˈsomal a.
| 1975 Nature 17 Apr. 600/2 Possibly the living bacteria produce a factor which inhibits fusion between phagosomal and lysosomal membranes and thereby prevent the discharge of putatively bactericidal lysosomal contents into the bacterial environment. |