Answer
There are two methods by which a phagocyte can know it is in contact with a pathogen. The first method is through cytoplasmic membrane receptors. This occurs because phagocytes only have receptors for components that are on bacterial surfaces. The second method is through opsonins. Opsonins are antimicrobial proteins that "tell" the phagocyte that it has come into contact with a pathogen.
Work Step by Step
There are two methods by which a phagocyte can know it is in contact with a pathogen. The first method is through cytoplasmic membrane receptors. This occurs because phagocytes only have receptors for components that are on bacterial surfaces. The second method is through opsonins. Opsonins are antimicrobial proteins that "tell" the phagocyte that it has come into contact with a pathogen.
