T lymphocytes

What are t lymphocytes?

Mature in the thymus gland, different lymphocytes have unique receptor sites with a shape that is complimentary to different antigens

What are t-lymphocytes responsible for?

Cell mediated immunity

What do t-helper cells do?

Produce interleukins that activate other t-cells, also activate b lymphocytes which initiates the production of antibodies

What do cytotoxic t cells (killer t cells) do?

Destroy the pathogen carrying the antigen, produce a chemical called perforin which kills the pathogen by making holes in the cell membrane so it is freely permeable

What do t memory cells do?

Part of immunological memory and live for a long time, if they meet an antigen for a 2nd time they divide rapidly to form clones to T killer cells that destory the pathogen

What are t regulator cells?

Suppress the immune system, acting to control and regulate it, stop the immune response once a pathogen has been eliminated and make sure the body recognises self antigens and doesn’t set up an autoimmune response