What stops the white blood cells from attacking our own body cells? What is the role of the lymphatic system in the maturation of all the different types of white blood cells?
1 Answer
What stops the white blood cells from attacking our own body cells?
White blood cells act on antigens, which signal that a certain molecule is foreign. Bodily cells lack these antigens and do not cause an immune response. However, when a pathogen comes in contact with bodily cells, it can take them over. When this happens, the antigens become present on the body cells, indicating that white blood cells must destroy them.
What is the role of the lymphatic system in the maturation of all the different types of white blood cells?
The lymphatic system is composed of the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and thymus. It is notable for the immune system because it is the site of the maturation of certain white blood cells. B-Lymphocytes mature in the bone marrow, whereas T-Lymphocytes mature in the thymus. Macrophages, monocytes, and leukocytes are also found in the lymphatic system.
During an immune response, the white blood cells are signalled to mature. From the lymphatic system, they typically move into the circulatory or other systems to destroy pathogens.
