2.4.3

T Lymphocytes

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T Lymphocytes

T lymphocyte cells are white blood cells that are involved in the cellular immune response. The steps involved in this process are:

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1) Detection of antigens

  • The foreign antigens presented by phagocytes bind to specific receptors on the cell surface of T lymphocyte cells.
  • Binding of the antigens activates the T helper cells.
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2) T helper cells

  • T helper (TH) cells are a specific type of T cell that activates several cells including:
    • Phagocytes.
    • T cytotoxic (TC) cells.
    • B cells.
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3) T cytotoxic cells

  • TC cells are activated by TH cells.
  • TC cells release toxins that bind to and kill foreign cells and abnormal cells in the body.

Jump to other topics

1Biological Molecules

2Cells

3Substance Exchange

4Genetic Information & Variation

5Energy Transfers (A2 only)

6Responding to Change (A2 only)

7Genetics & Ecosystems (A2 only)

8The Control of Gene Expression (A2 only)

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