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Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Immunity
Amerman - Human Anatomy & Physiology 2nd Edition
Amerman2nd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136873822Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 20, Problem 17a

Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
The cells involved in organ and transplant rejection are primarily B cells.

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1
Step 1: Understand the role of B cells and T cells in the immune system. B cells are primarily responsible for producing antibodies, while T cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity, including the rejection of transplanted organs.
Step 2: Recall that organ and transplant rejection is primarily mediated by T cells, specifically cytotoxic T cells, which attack foreign cells recognized as non-self.
Step 3: Evaluate the statement: 'The cells involved in organ and transplant rejection are primarily B cells.' This statement is false because B cells are not the primary cells responsible for transplant rejection.
Step 4: Correct the false statement to make it true: 'The cells involved in organ and transplant rejection are primarily T cells.'
Step 5: Review the corrected statement and ensure it aligns with the understanding of the immune system's role in transplant rejection.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Immune Response

The immune response is the body's defense mechanism against foreign substances, including pathogens and transplanted organs. It involves various cells, primarily T cells and B cells, which recognize and attack these foreign entities. Understanding the immune response is crucial for comprehending how organ rejection occurs.
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T Cells vs. B Cells

T cells and B cells are two main types of lymphocytes in the immune system. T cells are primarily responsible for cell-mediated immunity, attacking infected or foreign cells directly, while B cells are responsible for humoral immunity, producing antibodies. In the context of organ rejection, T cells play a more significant role than B cells.
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Organ Transplant Rejection

Organ transplant rejection occurs when the recipient's immune system identifies the transplanted organ as foreign and mounts an attack against it. This process can be acute or chronic and is primarily mediated by T cells, which recognize the differences in the donor's tissue antigens. Understanding this concept is essential for addressing the statement about B cells in organ rejection.
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