Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

21. The Immune System

Antigens

Anatomy & Physiology

21. The Immune System

Antigens

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2:21 minutes

Problem 6

Textbook Question

Lymphocytes that develop immunocompetence in the bone marrow are:
a. T lymphocytes
b. B lymphocytes
c. NK cells
d. B and T lymphocytes

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of immunocompetence: Immunocompetence refers to the ability of lymphocytes to recognize and respond to specific antigens. This process occurs in primary lymphoid organs, where lymphocytes mature and become functional.

Recall the primary lymphoid organs: The bone marrow and thymus are the two primary lymphoid organs where lymphocytes develop immunocompetence. B lymphocytes mature in the bone marrow, while T lymphocytes mature in the thymus.

Identify the lymphocyte types: B lymphocytes (B cells) are responsible for antibody production and humoral immunity, while T lymphocytes (T cells) are involved in cell-mediated immunity. NK (natural killer) cells are part of the innate immune system and do not develop immunocompetence in the same way as B and T cells.

Focus on the bone marrow: Since the question specifies the bone marrow, recall that B lymphocytes develop immunocompetence in the bone marrow, while T lymphocytes migrate to the thymus for their maturation.

Eliminate incorrect options: Based on the above information, eliminate options that do not align with the development of immunocompetence in the bone marrow. This leaves B lymphocytes as the correct answer.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Immunocompetence

Immunocompetence refers to the ability of lymphocytes to recognize and respond to specific antigens. This process is crucial for the adaptive immune response, allowing the body to identify and eliminate pathogens effectively. Lymphocytes achieve immunocompetence through maturation and selection processes in primary lymphoid organs.

B Lymphocytes

B lymphocytes, or B cells, are a type of white blood cell that matures in the bone marrow. They play a vital role in the immune system by producing antibodies that bind to specific antigens, marking them for destruction. B cells are essential for humoral immunity, which is the aspect of immunity that involves the production of antibodies.

T Lymphocytes

T lymphocytes, or T cells, are another type of white blood cell that matures in the thymus, not the bone marrow. They are crucial for cell-mediated immunity, which involves the direct killing of infected cells and the regulation of other immune cells. T cells recognize antigens presented by other cells and are essential for orchestrating the immune response.