Thymus Functions and T Cell Development

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What is the primary function of the epithelial cells in the thymus?

To secrete hormones that regulate the maturation and proliferation of T cells (correct)
To filter the blood and remove pathogens
To secrete hormones that regulate the development of B cells
To produce antibodies against self-antigens

What is the result of fatty infiltration in the thymus?

An increase in the production of B cells
A decrease in the production of T cells (correct)
An increase in the production of antibodies
An increase in the production of T cells

What is the function of Thymopoietin?

To regulate the development of B cells
To produce antibodies against self-antigens
To regulate the development of T cells (correct)
To activate the immune system against pathogens

What is the characteristic of the outer cortex of the thymus?

It is intensely basophilic (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which the thymus reduces its function with age?

Involution (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the hormones secreted by the thymus?

To regulate the development of T cells and induce immunological tolerance to self-antigens (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the process that occurs during the maturation of T cells in the thymic cortex?

Rearrangement of TCR genes and acquisition of surface receptors (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the appearance of macrophages at the cotico-medullary junction?

Starry sky (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main feature of the thymic medulla?

Important epithelial component (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of dendritic cells in the immune system?

To boost immune responses by showing antigens on its surface (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the process of T cells undergoing maturation and gaining the depth of the cortex to the medulla?

Migration (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the cells in the outer cortex part of the thymic cortex?

Big lymphocytes or lymphoblasts (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of vessels do blood lymphocytes enter the lymph node through?

Post-capillary venules (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of stromal cells in the lymph node?

To provide a framework for the node's structure (C) Signup and view all the answers

Where do lymphocytes that are unable to respond to antigens in the lymph node go?

They leave the node through the lymphatic efferents and reach the next node in the chain (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of cells are macrophages, follicular dendritic cells, and interdigitated dendritic cells?

Accessory immunological cells (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of lymphocyte recirculation?

To allow lymphocytes to circulate indefinitely until they meet their corresponding antigen (D) Signup and view all the answers

Where do lymphocytes enter the lymph node from?

Through both the blood and lymphatic afferents (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are thymic interdigitating cells responsible for?

Presenting antigens to T cells (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Hassall's corpuscles?

Unknown (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the destination of mature T cells after leaving the thymus?

Blood and lymph vessels (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the type of lymphoid tissue found in the respiratory tract?

BALT (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the lymphoid tissue found in the gut?

GALT (B) Signup and view all the answers

Where can isolated lymphocytes be found in the body?

In most loose connective tissue and epithelial cells (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of lymph nodes in the immune response?

To filter and trap antigens from the lymphatic vessels (A) Signup and view all the answers

What occurs to lymphocytes in the lymph node after they bind to an antigen?

They undergo clonal expansion and produce memory cells (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the outer, more cellular region of the lymph node called?

Cortex (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the afferent lymphatic vessels in the lymph node?

To bring antigens from the lymphatic vessels into the node (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure that surrounds the lymph node and sends connective tissue spans into the node?

Capsule (D) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the size of the lymph node during an active immune response?

It increases dramatically in size (D) Signup and view all the answers