Final answer:
Phagocytosis is the endocytic pathway that involves the ingestion of large particles or microorganisms and is performed mainly by specialized cells. It is a process where a cell engulfs particles and breaks them down using enzymes. Specialized cells like macrophages and neutrophils perform phagocytosis in the body's immune response.
Step-by-step explanation:
Phagocytosis is the endocytic pathway that involves the ingestion of large particles or microorganisms and is mainly performed by specialized cells. Phagocytosis is a process where a cell surrounds and engulfs a particle, such as a bacterium or a food particle, forming a phagosome. This phagosome then fuses with lysosomes within the cell, which contain enzymes that break down the engulfed particle. Specialized cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, are the main performers of phagocytosis and play an important role in the body's immune response.