This deep dive covers T Lymphocytes within Adaptive Immunity and Antibodies for GCSE Biology. Specific immune responses, antibody production, lymphocytes, memory cells It is section 5 of 15 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
T Lymphocytes
T lymphocytes are another type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune response. There are two main types at GCSE:
Figure 2: Helper T cells coordinate immunity via chemical signals; killer T cells directly destroy infected body cells.
- Helper T cells: Detect antigens and coordinate the immune response — they send chemical signals that activate B cells to produce antibodies and stimulate other white blood cells
- Killer T cells (cytotoxic T cells): Directly destroy body cells that have been infected by a pathogen, or cells that are cancerous
- Memory T cells: Long-lived cells that enable a faster response on re-exposure to the same antigen
Practice questions for Adaptive Immunity and Antibodies
What are antigens?
Explain how lymphocytes produce antibodies to destroy a specific pathogen.
Quick recall flashcards
What is an antigen?
A protein on the surface of a pathogen (or cell) that the immune system recognises as foreign.
Antigens trigger the body to produce antibodies.
What is an antibody?
A protein produced by lymphocytes (white blood cells) that binds to a specific antigen.
Each antibody has a unique shape that fits one antigen only — like a lock and key.