Which type of T cell is primarily responsible for the direct killing of infected host cells?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
Which type of T cell is primarily responsible for the direct killing of infected host cells?
Helper T cells
Cytotoxic T cells
Regulatory T cells
Memory T cells
Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ T cells) are responsible for directly killing infected cells by recognizing antigens presented by MHC class I molecules.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: Which type of T cell is primarily responsible for the direct killing of infected host cells?
Solution: Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ T cells) are responsible for directly killing infected cells by recognizing antigens presented by MHC class I molecules.
Steps: 7
Step 1: Understand that T cells are a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response.
Step 2: Learn that there are different types of T cells, including helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells.
Step 3: Focus on cytotoxic T cells, also known as CD8+ T cells.
Step 4: Know that cytotoxic T cells are responsible for killing infected cells in the body.
Step 5: Recognize that these cells identify infected cells by looking for specific markers called antigens.
Step 6: Understand that these antigens are presented on the surface of infected cells by molecules called MHC class I.
Step 7: Conclude that cytotoxic T cells directly kill infected host cells by recognizing these antigens.
