What is formed around a particle that a phagocyte engulfs during phagocytosis?

When a phagocyte engulfs a particle during the process of phagocytosis, it forms a structure known as a phagocytic vacuole. This vacuole is created as the cell membrane of the phagocyte invaginates around the foreign particle, encapsulating it within a membrane-bound sac. This is a critical step in the immune response, allowing the phagocyte to isolate and digest harmful substances, such as bacteria or dead cell debris.

Once the phagocytic vacuole is formed, it can subsequently fuse with lysosomes—organelles that contain digestive enzymes to break down the engulfed material. However, the initial formation of the vacuole itself is the key feature that defines the process of phagocytosis. Other organelles such as peroxisomes and the Golgi apparatus serve different functions and are not directly involved in the engulfing process of phagocytosis.