What Do White Blood Cells Do?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
6. T-Cells
T-cells, or T lymphocytes, are similar to B-cells and both fall into the same category (lymphocytes). They are also in the frontline of defense alongside B- lymphocytes, and T- lymphocytes can be placed into two main categories. One category is killer T- lymphocytes, and the other is helper T- lymphocytes.
Killer T- lymphocytes are so called because they attack and kill pathogens directly. In addition, when a threat is detected, T- lymphocytes will send chemical messages that let the rest of the immune system know that it needs to spring into action. Helper T- lymphocytes aid in the battle by stimulating B- lymphocytes to produce the antibodies needed in the fight against pathogens.
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