What is the difference between exocytosis and endocytosis

This fusion between vesicles and the plasma membrane facilitates bulk transport both into and out of the cell. Endocytosis is the process by which cells take in substances from outside of the cell by engulfing them in a vesicle. These can include things like nutrients to support the cell or pathogens that immune cells engulf and destroy.

Endocytosis occurs when a portion of the cell membrane folds in on itself, encircling extracellular fluid and various molecules or microorganisms. The resulting vesicle breaks off and is transported within the cell. Endocytosis serves many purposes, including:. There are two types of endocytosis: phagocytosis and pinocytosis. Phagocytosis Phagocytosis, also known as cell eating, is the process by which cells internalize large particles or cells, like damaged cells and bacteria.

Within the human body, and in other mammals, phagocytosis is how immune cells engulf and destroy dangerous microorganisms or toxic compounds. Macrophages and neutrophils, types of white blood cells, are the two primary phagocytes. These white blood cells are responsible for clearing out aged and damaged cells, as well as disposing of infectious microorganisms.

Pinocytosis Pinocytosis, also known as cell drinking, is common in plant and animal cells. During pinocytosis, the cell takes in substances from the extracellular fluid that it needs to function. What are common mistakes students make with endocytosis and exocytosis? What happens to a vesicle during exocytosis?

Do endocytosis and exocytosis need energy? If so, where does the energy come from? What happens to a vesicle during endocytosis? How is a vesicle formed during endocytosis?

They are generally used for storage and transport. Because they are entirely enclosed by a membrane, inside they can have a completely different composition than that of their cell.

How are vesicles used for exocytosis and endocytosis? Sometimes the vesicle is able to draw the molecule through its membrane. Then the vesicle moves to the edge of the cell and tethers itself to the cellular membrane.

It then pushes its molecular cargo out through the cellular membrane. It can swallow large molecules, small bits of protein, or create receptor pockets to which specific types of molecules are attracted. Once the molecule is surrounded by the cellular membrane, the area is pinched off to create a vesicle inside the cell that holds the molecule.

One might say that endocytosis creates vesicles and exocytosis uses and can potentially destroy vesicles. Endocytosis is a general term for a group of processes that bring macromolecules, large particles, small molecules, and even small cells into the eukaryotic cell.

There are three types of endocytosis: phagocytosis, pinocytosis, and receptor-mediated endocytosis. In all three, the plasma membrane invaginates folds inward around materials from the environment, forming a small pocket. The pocket deepens, forming a vesicle. Exocytosis is the process by which materials packaged in vesicles are secreted from a cell when the vesicle membrane fuses with the plasma membrane.