Specific Immune System: Cellular Response

What are lymphocytes

White blood cells involved in specific immune responses

Where are lymphocytes produced

In the bone marrow

What are the two main types of lymphocyte

T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes

Where do T lymphocytes mature

In the thymus gland

Where do B lymphocytes mature

In the bone marrow

What is the function of T cells

They are involved in the cellular response targeting infected or abnormal body cells

What is the function of B cells

They produce antibodies for the humoral response in body fluids

What is the cellular response

Specific immune response where T cells respond to antigens on body cells

What is a T helper cell

A T cell that binds to antigens and releases interleukins to activate other immune cells

What are interleukins

Cytokines that stimulate phagocytes and B cells

What is the role of T helper cells

Activate phagocytes and B cells and help coordinate immune response

What is a T killer cell

A T cell that destroys infected or abnormal body cells

How do T killer cells kill cells

They release perforin which forms pores in cell membranes causing cell death

What is perforin

A protein that creates holes in target cell membranes

What is a T regulator cell

A T cell that suppresses immune response after infection is cleared

Why are T regulator cells important

They prevent the immune system from attacking body cells

What is a T memory cell

A T cell that provides long term immunity by responding quickly to reinfection

What is an antigen presenting cell

A cell that displays pathogen antigens on its surface after engulfing it

What cells become antigen presenting cells

Macrophages after engulfing pathogens

What is the role of antigen presenting cells

To activate T cells by displaying antigens

What happens in the cellular response

Macrophages present antigens and activate T helper cells which clone and form different T cells

What happens after T helper cell activation

They stimulate phagocytes and B cells and produce memory and killer T cells

How do T cells stimulate other cells

By releasing interleukins

What is long term immunity in cellular response

Memory T cells remaining in the body for rapid response to reinfection