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What is the difference between a lymphocyte and a phagocyte?

Both lymphocytes and phagocytes are components of a body's immune system and serve to protect the body from harmful components.


Lymphocytes are produced by lymph nodes and are a component of the body's immune system. There are three types of lymphocytes: thymus cells (T cells), bone marrow cells (B cells), and natural killer cells (NK cells), all of which have unique functions. T cells guide a body's immune response at a cellular level whereas B cells direct immune responses through antibodies. In contrast, natural killer cells expunge harmful material.


Phagocytes, also part of the body's immune system, engulf harmful material in the body. These cells follow chemical signals in the body to areas with dying cells, foreign particles, or bacteria and ingest the harmful components. Some phagocytes even work with lymphocytes, specifically natural killer cells, to destroy harmful components.

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