Animation of Phagocytosis by Enhanced
Attachment (Opsonization)
Enhanced attachment is the attachment of microbes to phagocytes by way of molecules such as the antibody molecule IgG or proteins produced during the complement pathwayscalled C3b and C4b. Following attachment, polymerization
and then depolymerization of actin filaments send
pseudopods out to engulf the microbe and
place it in a vesicle called a phagosome. Following acidification of the phagosome, lysosomes
containing digestive enzymes and microbicidal chemicals fuse with
the phagosome containing the ingested microbe and the microbe is destroyed.
