Infection & ResponseDeep Dive

T Lymphocytes

Part of Adaptive Immunity and AntibodiesGCSE Biology

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.

Topic position

Section 5 of 15

Practice

20 questions

Recall

25 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:

Helper T Cell Killer T Cell B Cell Infected Body Cell Activates Destroys

Figure 2: Helper T cells activate B cells; killer T cells 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

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Adaptive Immunity and Antibodies. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Adaptive Immunity and Antibodies

What are antigens?

  • A. Antibodies produced by white blood cells
  • B. Unique proteins on the surface of pathogens
  • C. Toxins produced by bacteria
  • D. Memory cells that remain after infection
1 markfoundation

Explain how lymphocytes produce antibodies to destroy a specific pathogen.

3 marksstandard

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.

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