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6.2.5Unit 6: Practical Skills in Biology II

Lymphocytes: Types and Roles — IAL Edexcel Linear Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 5 parts Lesson 11 of 48 Unit quiz

📚 IAL Edexcel Linear Hub / Topical Revision
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Curriculum Equation Key قوانين الرقم الهيدروجيني والاتزان الأيوني - pH & Acid-Base Equilibrium FormulasFast Exam Solution
pH = -log[H⁺] | pOH = -log[OH⁻] | pH + pOH = 14 | [H⁺][OH⁻] = 10⁻¹⁴
Word Equation & Conditions: الرقم الهيدروجيني = -لوغاريتم تركيز أيون الهيدروجين | pH + pOH = 14
Location & Specifications: الاتزان الأيوني، كيمياء 3 ثانوي، التحصيلي، و AP Chemistry.
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Part 1 of 5T Cells

Origin
  • Origin T cells are made in the bone marrow and finish maturing in the thymus, which gives them their name.
Receptors
  • Receptors Each T cell has receptors on its membrane that are specific to one antigen.
Activation
  • Activation A T cell is activated when its receptor binds its antigen on an antigen-presenting cell.
Clones
  • Clones Activated T cells divide by mitosis to produce many genetically identical cells.
Antigen-presenting cell
  • Antigen-presenting cell The cell presenting the antigen may be a macrophage, an infected body cell or the pathogen itself.

Part 2 of 5Types of T Cell

Types of T Cell
T helper cells
  • T helper cells These release cytokines that activate B cells and T killer cells and stimulate phagocytosis.
T killer cells
  • T killer cells These bind to infected body cells showing the antigen and destroy them.
T memory cells
  • T memory cells These stay in the blood and allow a faster response if the pathogen returns.
Cell signalling
  • Cell signalling Chemical signals from helper T cells coordinate the other cells of the immune response.

Part 3 of 5B Cells

Follow the stages in order to see how one B cell produces a large clone.

1
B cells mature in the bone marrow, and each has antibody receptors on its surface that fit one antigen.
2
When a B cell binds its specific antigen, it forms an antigen-antibody complex.
3
Signals from T helper cells activate the B cell.
4
The activated B cell divides repeatedly by mitosis, forming a clone of cells.
5
Some become plasma cells that secrete large amounts of antibody, and others become memory cells.
6
Because the receptors are antibodies fixed to the membrane, each B cell can respond to only one antigen.

Part 4 of 5Comparison

Mature in
  • Mature in T cells mature in the thymus, whereas B cells mature in the bone marrow.
Main action
  • Main action T cells coordinate and kill infected cells; B cells produce antibodies via plasma cells.
Memory
  • Memory Both T cells and B cells give rise to memory cells that remain after infection.
Selected by antigen
  • Selected by antigen Only lymphocytes with receptors matching the antigen are activated and cloned.
CellRole
T helperActivate B cells and T killer cells
T killerDestroy infected body cells
Plasma cellSecrete antibodies
Memory cellGive a faster secondary response

Part 5 of 5Exam Checklist & Tips

6.2.5 – Key Points for the Exam

  • Lymphocyte A white blood cell, such as a T cell or B cell, involved in the specific immune response.
  • Plasma cell A differentiated B cell that secretes antibodies.
  • Memory cell A long-lived lymphocyte that allows a faster response to a repeated infection.
  • Clone A group of genetically identical cells produced by mitosis.
  • T helper cell A T cell that releases signals activating B cells and T killer cells.

Common Mistakes

  • Saying B cells kill infected cells, when T killer cells do this.
  • Writing that T cells produce antibodies, which are made by plasma cells.
  • Forgetting that lymphocyte division is by mitosis and so produces identical cells.
  • Mixing up T and B cells by where they mature.

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