Biology · Cell Structure and Function
Work through this past-paper style MCQ, then read the full explanation. Practice more biology questions on mMCQ with adaptive practice and topic analytics.
The intake of liquid materials across the cell membrane is:
- A
Phagocytosis
- B
Pinocytosis
- C
Endocytosis
- D
Exocytosis
The ingestion of liquid material into a cell by the budding of small vesicles from the cell membrane is called pinocytosis while the process by which certain living cells called phagocytes ingest or engulf other cells or solid particles is called phagocytosis.
Phagocytosis is a process wherein a cell binds to the item it wants to engulf on the cell surface and draws the item inward while engulfing around it. It is the taking in of solid particles.
Pinocytosis is a form of endocytosis where the cell engulfs liquids and small molecules from its surroundings. It allows nutrients and signaling molecules to enter the cell. Unlike phagocytosis, it targets fluids rather than large particles.
Endocytosis is a cellular process by which the extracellular materials or cargo are transported into intracellular compartments by a series of pathways followed by the formation of vesicles.
Exocytosis is the fusion of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane and results in the discharge of vesicle content into the extracellular space and the incorporation of new proteins and lipids into the plasma membrane.
Tagged under Biology · Cell Structure and Function · 2014