Multiple Choice
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cancer tumors?
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11. Cell Division
Cancer
Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the risk of cancer in children born without a thymus?
A
Their cancer risk is unchanged compared to children with a normal thymus.
B
They have a decreased risk of cancer because B cells compensate for the loss of T cells.
C
They have an increased risk of cancer due to impaired T cell development.
D
They are completely protected from cancer due to enhanced innate immunity.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of the thymus in the immune system: The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ responsible for the maturation of T cells, which are critical for adaptive immunity. T cells help identify and destroy abnormal cells, including cancerous cells.
Evaluate the impact of being born without a thymus: Without a thymus, T cell development is impaired, leading to a weakened adaptive immune response. This makes it harder for the body to detect and eliminate cancerous cells.
Consider the role of B cells: B cells are another component of adaptive immunity, but they primarily produce antibodies to target pathogens. They do not compensate for the loss of T cells in cancer surveillance, as T cells are specifically involved in identifying and destroying abnormal cells.
Analyze the relationship between impaired T cell development and cancer risk: Impaired T cell development reduces the body's ability to perform immune surveillance, increasing the risk of cancer. This is because T cells play a key role in identifying and eliminating cells that have undergone malignant transformation.
Rule out other options: Enhanced innate immunity does not completely protect against cancer, as innate immunity lacks the specificity required to target cancer cells effectively. Therefore, the correct answer is that children born without a thymus have an increased risk of cancer due to impaired T cell development.
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