Question

Name the two special types of lymphocytes in humans. How do they differ in their roles in immune response?

Answer 1

There are two types of lymphocytes produced by the immune system that are the major cellular components of the adaptive immune response. They help in activating immune responses against bacterial and viral agents.

Complete answer:
The B cells and T cells are two types of lymphocytes. T cells (thymus cells) and B cells (bone marrow cells) are the major cells of the adaptive immune responses. The B cells are stimulated by T cells to produce antibodies or immunoglobulins. They use messenger molecules such as cytokines to send chemical instructions or signals that induce a signaling cascade. They are primarily produced in the bone marrow and later migrate to the thymus for maturation. After this, the cells are released into the lymph and some migrate to lymphoid organs to attack the foreign particles or antigens.
The B cells are produced in the bone marrow and bind to the intact antigens for their phagocytosis. After binding, the antigen molecules are engulfed by receptor-mediated endocytosis. They are the effectors of humoral immunity whereas T cells are known as the effectors of cellular immunity.

Note: The T cells recognize viral particles and the B cells recognize viral or fungal pathogens followed by their inactivation through phagocytosis or by activating the body’s defense mechanisms. Both the cells are produced from the hematopoietic stem cells of the bone marrow by the process of hematopoiesis.