Table of Contents
Introduction to Lymphocytes; Types of Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that are produced in the bone marrow. There are three types of lymphocytes: T cells, B cells, and NK cells.
T cells are responsible for recognizing and attacking foreign cells. B cells are responsible for producing antibodies to fight infection. NK cells are responsible for killing cancer cells and virus-infected cells.
| S.NO | CONTENT |
| 1 | INTRODUCTION |
| 2 | ROLE OF LYMPHOCYTES |
| 3 | T CELLS AND B CELLS |
| 4 | NATURAL KILLER CELLS |
| 5 | X LYMPHOCYTES |
| 6 | STRUCTURE OF LYMPHOCYTES |
Role of Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that play a critical role in the immune system. There are three types of lymphocytes: B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells.
B cells are responsible for producing antibodies, which are proteins that recognize and bind to specific antigens. T cells are responsible for attacking and destroying viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders. Natural killer cells are responsible for destroying tumor cells and cells that have been infected by viruses.
Lymphocytes are produced in the bone marrow and then circulate through the body in the blood. They are activated when they encounter an antigen that they recognize. Once activated, they proliferate and differentiate into the various types of lymphocytes.
T Cells and B Cells:
T Cells:
T cells are a type of lymphocyte that are responsible for orchestrating the immune response. They are produced in the thymus gland and are activated by antigen presenting cells (APC’s). T cells recognize and bind to antigen fragments presented on the surface of APC’s. This interaction initiates a cascade of events that leads to the activation of T cells and the production of cytokines.
T cells are divided into two main types: CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. CD4+ T cells are responsible for the activation of B cells and the production of antibodies. CD8+ T cells are responsible for the destruction of infected cells.
B Cells:
B cells are a type of lymphocyte that are responsible for the production of antibodies. They are produced in the bone marrow and are activated by T cells. B cells recognize and bind to antigen fragments presented on the surface of APC’s. This interaction initiates a cascade of events that leads to the activation of B cells and the production of antibodies.
B cells are divided into two main types: naïve B cells and memory B cells. Naïve B cells are unactivated and are responsible for the production of antibodies. Memory B cells are activated and are responsible for the production of antibodies that are specific for the antigen that activated them.
Natural Killer Cells:
Natural killer cells are a type of lymphocyte that are responsible for killing tumor cells and cells infected with viruses. They are also important in the immune response to new infections. Natural killer cells are found in the blood and in tissues throughout the body.
X Lymphocyte:
X lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection. They are produced in the bone marrow and develop into mature lymphocytes after entering the blood stream. X lymphocytes are responsible for producing antibodies, which are proteins that help fight infection.
Structure of Lymphocytes
There are two types of lymphocytes- B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes.
B lymphocytes are produced in the bone marrow and T lymphocytes are produced in the thymus.
B lymphocytes mature into antibody-secreting plasma cells and T lymphocytes mature into cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells.
The plasma cell produces antibodies which are released into the blood and lymphatic system.
The cytotoxic T cell destroys virus-infected cells and the helper T cell activates the immune response by releasing cytokines.
For more visit Difference Between Monocytes and Lymphocytes
