Which of the following best describes the function of T cells in the immune response?

Explanation: T cells are a type of lymphocyte that plays a crucial role in cell-mediated immunity. They are responsible for recognizing and directly attacking infected or abnormal cells in the body. There are two main types of T cells: cytotoxic T cells, which directly kill infected cells, and helper T cells, which assist in coordinating the immune response.

Incorrect choices:

a. B cells are responsible for the production of antibodies and are involved in the humoral immune response, which targets pathogens outside of cells. They do not directly recognize and destroy infected cells.

c. Macrophages are antigen-presenting cells that engulf and process pathogens to present their antigens to other immune cells. While they are involved in immune recognition, they do not primarily recognize and destroy infected cells.

d. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell involved in the innate immune response. They primarily target and destroy bacteria and other foreign invaders in the body, but they do not have the specific recognition capabilities of T cells.

Explanation: B cells are a type of lymphocyte that plays a central role in the adaptive immune response. When activated by the presence of specific antigens, B cells differentiate into plasma cells, which are responsible for producing large quantities of antibodies that can target and neutralize the invading pathogen.

Incorrect choices:

a. T cells are another type of lymphocyte that is involved in cell-mediated immunity, where they directly attack infected or abnormal cells. They do not produce antibodies.

b. Natural killer cells are part of the innate immune system and are responsible for killing infected or cancerous cells. They are not involved in antibody production.

d. Macrophages are phagocytic cells that engulf and destroy pathogens and debris in the body. While they play a crucial role in immune responses, they do not produce antibodies.