Difference Between Endocytosis and Exocytosis

Endocytosis vs Exocytosis

Summary: Difference Between Endocytosis and Exocytosis is that Endocytosis (Gr. endon, within) involves bulk movement of materials across the plasma membrane, rather than movement of individual molecules. While in the process of exocytosis (Gr. exo, outside), these secretory vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane and release their contents into the extracellular environment.

Endocytosis

Another process by which substances move across the plasma membrane is endocytosis. Endocytosis (Gr. endon, within) involves bulk movement of materials across the plasma membrane, rather than movement of individual molecules. The three forms of endocytosis are phagocytosis, pinocytosis and receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Phagocytosis

Phagocytosis (“cell eating,” from Gr. phagein, to eat cyto, cell) is similar to pinocytosis, except that the cell takes in solid material rather than liquid. Commonly, an organelle called a lysosome combines with the vesicle to form a phagolysosome (“digestion vacuole”), and lysosomal digestive enzymes break down the vesicle’s contents.

Pinocytosis

Pinocytosis (“cell drinking,” from Gr. pinein, to drink cyto, cell) is nonspecific uptake of small droplets of extracellular fluid. Any small solid dissolved in the fluid is also taken into the cell. Pinocytosis occurs when a small portion of the plasma membrane indents (invaginates). The open end of the invagination seals itself off, forming a small vesicle. This tiny vesicle detaches from the plasma membrane and moves into the cytoplasm.

Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis

Receptor-mediated endocytosis involves a specific receptor protein on the plasma membrane that “recognizes” an extracellular molecule and binds with it. This reaction somehow stimulates the membrane to indent and create a vesicle containing the selected molecule. A variety of important molecules (such as cholesterol) are brought into cells in this manner.

Exocytosis

An organelle known as the Golgi apparatus (described in a later section) packages proteins and other molecules that the cell produces into vesicles for secretion. In the process of exocytosis (Gr. exo, outside), these secretory vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane and release their contents into the extracellular environment. This process adds new membrane material, which replaces the plasma membrane lost during endocytosis.

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