This animation briefly and simply introduces the concept of phagocytosis, the process by which particulate material is endocytosed (“eaten”) by a cell (From Greek phagein, to eat.). The process of phagocytosis is one of the many different ways our immune cells fight infections. This material shows the purpose of phagocytosis, but not the mechanisms or steps involved.
Type of Material:
Animation
Recommended Uses:
The best use of this material would be to present this as part of a lecture in either High School or Lower Division College Classes. The material could also be used for independent study.
Technical Requirements:
I viewed the website in Google Chrome Version 92.0.4515.107. This site requires an internet connection and the ability to play a youtube video.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
To understand that the purpose of phagocytosis is to catch bacteria and remove them from the host.
To identify which cell types perform phagocytosis.
Target Student Population:
Middle School, High School, College General Ed
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
This material requires a basic knowledge of cells and the human body.
Students will need basic computer navigational skills (enter URL, click to play video). Otherwise, the interface is very user-friendly.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The information is accurate and provides a good basic background about the material
At the time of this review, content of material is accurate and up-to-date.
Animations/Comics are cute and visually appealing, which may help students remember
The strongest part of the material is the linked YouTube video called “Neutrophil Phagocytosis - White Blood Cell Eats Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteria”, although this video is also available separately and in a longer format than the shorter version linked here.
Concerns:
The site implies that only macrophages and neutrophils perform phagocytosis. While they are the most common phagocytes, they are not the only ones.
The presentation of phagocytosis is VERY simple. It is shown only as a phagocyte engulfing the bacterium, with no indication of what happens inside the cell (phagosome, lysosome, phagolysosome, digestive enzymes, exocytosis, etc.) other than a summary of “is a complex mechanism that requires for the cells to rearrange its inner cell bits”.
This material has three references, each with a link. All three references are for content at a college level or graduate level, while the information presented in the material itself is better suited to middle school or lower high school due to its simplicity.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The pedagogy of providing information is a nice blend of learning and interactivity
The learning experience is interesting
The images shown are colorful and engaging
It is extremely simple, so could easily fit into a 3-5 minute period of time to introduce phagocytosis or remind students what it is
Concerns:
The learning material does not identify any specific learning objectives or prerequisite knowledge
It does not build on concepts or demonstrate relationships between concepts
There is no way to measure learning outcomes within the site
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The information is well organized
Site is fast and intuitive
No defective links or major bugs were found
Information is easy to understand
Great artwork!
Concerns:
There are some accessibility issues. One animation requires sight, with no spoken description of the contents. Another animation requires hearing, because there are no captions for the text. Much of the text on this page is nearly identical to the text on the page for Macrophages
The content on the two pages could be better distinguished by adding information on the multiple steps of phagocytosis to this page
Creative Commons:
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