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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Problem 14

Textbook Question

What are the three classes of lymphocytes, and where does each class originate?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell crucial for the immune system, and they are categorized into three main classes based on their function and origin.

The first class is T lymphocytes (T cells). These cells originate in the bone marrow but mature in the thymus, which is why they are called 'T' cells. They are primarily responsible for cell-mediated immunity, such as attacking infected or cancerous cells.

The second class is B lymphocytes (B cells). These cells originate and mature in the bone marrow. They are responsible for humoral immunity, which involves the production of antibodies to neutralize pathogens.

The third class is Natural Killer (NK) cells. These cells also originate in the bone marrow and are part of the innate immune system. They are responsible for destroying virus-infected cells and tumor cells without the need for prior activation.

Summarize that all three classes of lymphocytes (T cells, B cells, and NK cells) originate in the bone marrow, but T cells mature in the thymus, while B cells and NK cells mature in the bone marrow itself.

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Key Concepts

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

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune system. They are primarily involved in the body's defense against pathogens, including viruses and bacteria. There are three main classes of lymphocytes: B cells, T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, each with distinct functions in immune response.

B Cells

B cells are a class of lymphocytes that originate in the bone marrow. They are responsible for producing antibodies, which are proteins that specifically target and neutralize pathogens. Upon encountering an antigen, B cells can differentiate into plasma cells that secrete large amounts of antibodies, providing humoral immunity.

T Cells

T cells, another class of lymphocytes, originate from precursor cells in the bone marrow but mature in the thymus gland. They are essential for cell-mediated immunity, with various subtypes including helper T cells, which assist other immune cells, and cytotoxic T cells, which directly kill infected or cancerous cells. Their activation is crucial for a robust immune response.