Chemotherapy Biotherapy Certification ONS Practice Testq

What type of lymphocytes are derived from the thymus and primarily regulate the immune response?

1. T cells

2. B cells

3. Natural killer cells

4. Plasma cells

The correct answer is: T cells

The correct choice highlights T cells as the type of lymphocytes that are derived from the thymus and play a critical role in regulating the immune response. T cells, which include helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells, develop in the thymus gland after originating from precursor cells in the bone marrow. Helper T cells are essential for orchestrating the immune response by activating both B cells, which produce antibodies, and other immune cells, thereby coordinating a comprehensive defense against pathogens. Cytotoxic T cells are involved in directly killing infected or cancerous cells. In contrast, B cells, which are responsible for antibody production, originate and mature in the bone marrow and are primarily involved in the humoral immune response. Natural killer cells are part of the innate immune system and provide rapid responses to viral-infected cells and tumor formation but do not originate from the thymus. Plasma cells, which are differentiated B cells, primarily produce antibodies but are not directly involved in the regulation of the immune response like T cells are. Understanding the specific roles and origins of these cells is crucial for comprehending the complex interactions within the immune system.