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Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are the WBCs that produce antibodies An antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens which provide immunity. Here are the highlights of the 2 main types of lymphocytes:
- T cells (develop in bone marrow and mature in the thymus gland) - seek their target and send defense to destroy them. Types of T cells:
- Helper T cells - major driving force with their primary task being to activate B cells and killer T cells. However, the helper T cells themselves must be activated by the antigen presentation process It is a process in the body's immune system by which dendritic cells capture pathogenic antigens, and then present them to the immune system for activation. :
- Antigen Presentation Process - This happens when a macrophage or dendritic cell, which has eaten an invader, travels to the nearest lymph node to present information about the captured pathogen. The phagocyte displays an antigen fragment from the invader on its own surface, a process called antigen presentation. When the receptor of a helper T cell recognizes the antigen, the T cell is activated. Once activated, helper T cells start to divide and to produce proteins that activate B and T cells as well as other immune cells.
- Killer T cells – destroys invaders
- Targets: Virus-infected cells and tumor cells
- Helper T cells - major driving force with their primary task being to activate B cells and killer T cells. However, the helper T cells themselves must be activated by the antigen presentation process It is a process in the body's immune system by which dendritic cells capture pathogenic antigens, and then present them to the immune system for activation. :
- B cells (develop and mature in the bone marrow) – releases antibodies and assist in T cell activation. B cells divide to produce 2 new cells with specific skills:
- Plasma cells – produce antibodies that so that they can seek out intruders and deactivate them for other cells to destroy.
- B memory cells – can "remember" specific intruders so that the next time an intruder tries to invade the body; it is wiped out before causing symptoms. The body is “immune” from the invader. These cells are why a person is subject to certain diseases, such as chicken pox, only once.
Check your understanding:
-The two main types of lymphocytes are the ______ and the _______.
-The lymphocyte that functions to release antibodies in an initial invader attack is the _____________.
-What is the difference in the way T cells and B cells attack an invader such as a virus?
-Which type of lymphocyte do the following key words describe? Memory/Antibodies/Bone marrow/deactivate?
