Q.Differentiate between B-cells and T-cells.
B-cells differentiate in bursal lymphoid tissue and form the humoral/antibody-mediated system, producing antibodies via plasma cells; T-cells differentiate in the thymus and form the cell-mediated system, acting throu...
Step 1. Both B- and T-lymphocytes originate from stem cells in the foetal liver/adult bone marrow, but B-lymphocytes further differentiate in gut-associated bursal lymphoid tissue (tonsils, Peyer's patches), while T-lymphocytes differentiate in the thymus gland.
Step 2. B-cells form the humoral or antibody-mediated immune system (AMIS): once sensitised (directly by antigen or via a helper T-cell), a B-cell multiplies into plasma cells, which manufacture and release antibodies, and memory B-cells, which persist for future responses.
Step 3. T-cells form the cell-mediated immune system (CMIS): on meeting an antigen, a T-cell clones into four subtypes — helper T-cells (stimulate B-cells/other T-cells/macrophages), killer/cytotoxic T-cells (directly destroy infected/tumour cells using perforins), suppressor T-cells (dampen the immune response) and memory T-cells (retain long-term sensitisation).
Step 4. In short, B-cells work indirectly through secreted antibodies circulating in blood/lymph, while T-cells act more directly, several subtypes physically engaging infected or abnormal cells.
B-cells: bursal-tissue-derived, humoral immunity, antibody production. T-cells: thymus-derived, cell-mediated immunity, four functional subtypes
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