University of Central Florida (UCF) PCB3703C Human Physiology Lab Practice Exam 2

Lymphocytes are a specific type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune response, particularly in identifying and attacking various pathogens and abnormal cells. They are primarily categorized into B cells and T cells, each with distinct functions related to different types of infections.

B cells are responsible for producing antibodies that target bacteria and viruses, effectively neutralizing them or marking them for destruction by other immune cells. T cells, on the other hand, are involved in directly attacking infected cells, particularly those infected with viruses, or in identifying and eliminating cancerous cells. This includes recognizing and attacking leukemic cells, which are cancerous cells originating from lymphocytes themselves.

The correct answer highlights that lymphocytes can target a broad spectrum of infections: bacterial, viral, and fungal, as well as being involved in combating hematological malignancies like leukemia. This connection is important as it underscores the role of the immune system in not only fighting infectious pathogens but also in monitoring and suppressing aberrant cell growth. Understanding this enables better insights into how lymphocytes function and their importance in both infectious diseases and cancer.