Final answer:
Phagocytosis is the process by which large particles are taken in by a cell, while pinocytosis is the process by which a cell takes in droplets of liquid. Phagocytosis is an important mechanism of the immune system for removing pathogens from the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Phagocytosis is the process by which large particles, such as cells or relatively large particles, are taken in by a cell. For example, when microorganisms invade the human body, a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil will remove the invaders through this process, surrounding and engulfing the microorganism, which is then destroyed by the neutrophil. Phagocytosis is an important mechanism of the immune system for removing pathogens from the body.
In contrast, pinocytosis is the process by which a cell takes in droplets of liquid from the extracellular fluid. It is often referred to as “cell drinking” and is a form of endocytosis that transports solutes into the cell.