What process allows phagocytes to clean up cellular debris and destroy pathogens?

Phagocytosis is the process by which specialized immune cells, known as phagocytes, engulf and digest cellular debris, pathogens like bacteria and viruses, and other foreign materials. During phagocytosis, the phagocyte extends its membrane around the target, forming a pocket that ultimately fuses with a lysosome, where digestive enzymes break down the engulfed material. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and providing defense against infections, as it enables the efficient clearance of harmful agents from the body.

Other processes listed do not serve the same function as phagocytosis. Exocytosis is the process of expelling materials from the cell, while endocytosis generally refers to cellular uptake of substances into the cell, and osmosis pertains to the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane, driven by concentration differences. None of these processes are specifically designed for the destruction and removal of pathogens and debris like phagocytosis is.