2003 AIPMT Human Health and DiseaseImmune System: Lymphocytes Medium Question 110 of 121 in Human Health and Disease

What is true about T-lymphocytes in mammals : -

A There are three main types – cytotoxic T-cells, helper T-cells and suppressor T-cells
B These originate in lymphoid tissues
C They scavenge damaged cells and cellular debris
D These are produced in thyroid

The answer is A.

Solution

T-lymphocytes are produced from stem cells in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus (not the thyroid). Bone marrow and thymus are the primary lymphoid organs; lymphoid tissues such as lymph nodes and spleen are secondary organs where lymphocytes interact with antigens.
They are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. The three main types are:
Cytotoxic (killer) T-cells: directly kill infected cells and cancer cells.
Helper T-cells: stimulate B-cells to make antibodies and activate other T-cells (these are the cells attacked by HIV).
Suppressor T-cells: suppress the immune response when it is no longer needed and prevent attack on the body's own cells.
Scavenging of damaged cells and debris is done by macrophages and neutrophils, not T-cells.
So the true statement is that there are three main types: cytotoxic, helper and suppressor T-cells.

Concept Types of T-lymphocytes

Human Health and Disease in past papers

121 questions from this chapter have appeared across 27 exam years.