The process by which infectious agents are ingested by host cells is termed

• A. Exocytosis.
• B. Pinocytosis.
• C. Endocytosis.
• D. Phagosome fusion.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of endocytosis: Endocytosis is a cellular process in which substances are brought into the cell. It involves the engulfing of external materials by the cell membrane, forming a vesicle that is then internalized.
2. Differentiate between types of endocytosis: There are several forms of endocytosis, including phagocytosis (engulfing large particles), pinocytosis (ingesting fluids and small molecules), and receptor-mediated endocytosis (specific uptake of molecules).
3. Recognize the role of phagosome fusion: After endocytosis, the vesicle containing the ingested material, known as a phagosome, may fuse with lysosomes to form a phagolysosome, where the material is degraded.
4. Clarify the difference between endocytosis and exocytosis: Exocytosis is the process by which materials are expelled from the cell, opposite to endocytosis.
5. Apply this understanding to infectious agents: Infectious agents, such as bacteria and viruses, can be internalized by host cells through endocytosis, allowing the host cell to potentially neutralize or process the pathogen.