Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements is characteristic of a secondary humoral response?
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21. The Immune System
Introduction to Adaptive Immunity
3:53 minutesProblem 8
Textbook Question
Which of the following is not involved in the activation of a B cell?
a. Antigen
b. Helper T cell
c. Cytokine
d. Cytotoxic T cell
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the role of B cells in the immune system. B cells are a type of lymphocyte responsible for producing antibodies to fight pathogens. Their activation is a critical step in adaptive immunity.
Step 2: Review the activation process of B cells. B cells are activated when their specific antigen binds to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface. This antigen binding is the first step in activation.
Step 3: Learn about the role of Helper T cells in B cell activation. Helper T cells (specifically CD4+ T cells) interact with B cells and release cytokines, which are signaling molecules that further stimulate B cell activation and proliferation.
Step 4: Understand the role of cytokines. Cytokines are chemical messengers released by Helper T cells that enhance the activation and differentiation of B cells into plasma cells and memory B cells.
Step 5: Clarify the role of Cytotoxic T cells. Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ T cells) are primarily involved in killing infected or cancerous cells and are not directly involved in the activation of B cells. This makes Cytotoxic T cells the correct answer to the question.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
B Cell Activation
B cell activation is a crucial process in the adaptive immune response, where B cells recognize specific antigens. This activation typically requires the binding of an antigen to the B cell receptor (BCR) and often involves additional signals from helper T cells and cytokines to fully activate the B cell and promote its differentiation into plasma cells.
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Role of Helper T Cells
Helper T cells (CD4+ T cells) play a vital role in the immune response by providing necessary signals for B cell activation. Upon recognizing an antigen presented by antigen-presenting cells, helper T cells release cytokines that stimulate B cells, enhancing their proliferation and differentiation into antibody-secreting plasma cells.
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Cytotoxic T Cells
Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ T cells) are primarily involved in the direct killing of infected or cancerous cells. Unlike helper T cells, they do not play a direct role in B cell activation. Their main function is to recognize and destroy cells presenting foreign antigens via MHC class I molecules, making them less relevant in the context of B cell activation.
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