Question
Biology Question on chemical coordination and integration
Damage to thymus in a child may lead to :
A
a reduction in hemoglobin content of blood
B
a reduction in stem cell production
C
loss of antibody mediated immunity
D
loss of cell mediated immunity
Answer
loss of cell mediated immunity
Explanation
Solution
The thymus is a primary organ of the immune system where T cells (a type of lymphocyte) mature and develop. Cell-mediated immunity, which involves the activation of T cells to combat intracellular pathogens and abnormal cells (such as cancer cells), is primarily dependent on the proper functioning of the thymus. Damage to the thymus can disrupt the development of functional T cells, leading to a loss of cell-mediated immunity.
So, the correct option is (D): loss of cell mediated immunity