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Questions and Answers
Where is the thymus located?
Where is the thymus located?
- In the upper back part of the chest
- In the posterior superior mediastinum
- Behind the sternum and in front of the heart (correct)
- In the lower front part of the chest
Which cells mature in the thymus?
Which cells mature in the thymus?
- T cells (correct)
- Natural killer cells
- Macrophages
- B cells
What is the function of T cells in the immune system?
What is the function of T cells in the immune system?
- To produce antibodies
- To produce cytokines
- To engulf and destroy pathogens
- To recognize and kill infected cells (correct)
What happens to the size of the thymus as a person grows older?
What happens to the size of the thymus as a person grows older?
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What are thymocytes?
What are thymocytes?
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Study Notes
Thymus and T Cells
- The thymus is located in the chest, just behind the breastbone (sternum).
- Immature cells called thymocytes mature in the thymus to become T cells (T lymphocytes).
- The function of T cells is to recognize and attack infected cells or foreign substances in the body, playing a central role in cell-mediated immunity.
- As a person grows older, the size of the thymus decreases, reducing its ability to produce new T cells.
- Thymocytes are immature cells in the thymus that mature to become T cells, which then migrate to lymph nodes, spleen, and other lymphoid organs.
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