1. To make bacteria more liable to destruction by phagocytes.
2. To modify bacteria and other cells to make them more susceptible to phagocytosis.

Phagocytosis is the process by which a cell engulfs particles; such as, bacteria, other microorganisms, aged red blood cells, foreign matter, etc.

The principal phagocytes (cells that can engage in phagocytosis) include the neutrophils and monocytes (types of white blood cells or cells that the body makes to help fight infections).