Phagocytosis

1. The surface of the bacterium becomes coated with proteins called opsinins
2. Antibodies attach themselves to antigens on the surface of the bacterium
3. The bacterium produces chemicals that attract the neutrophils towards it. (An example of chemotaxis)
4. Proteins found in the host's plasma attach themselves to the antibodies that are attached to the bacterial antigens
5. Neutrophils attach to the opsinins coating the bacteria
6. Neutrophils engulf the bacterium to form a vesicle called a phagosome
7. Lysosomes move towards the vesicle and fuse with it, forming a phagolysosome
8. The enzymes within the lysosome digest the bacterium (They may also be toxins and chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide and free radicals in the lysosome that kill the bacteria)
9. The soluble products from digestion of the bacterium are absorbed into the cytoplasm of the neutrophil and may be used by that cell