What is the result when a dendritic cell phagocytizes a microbe and processes it?

• A. The dendritic cell immediately destroys itself to prevent infection.
• B. The dendritic cell releases antibodies specific to the microbe.
• C. The dendritic cell transforms into a macrophage.
• D. The dendritic cell presents microbial antigens on its surface via MHC molecules to activate T cells.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of dendritic cells in the immune system: they are antigen-presenting cells that capture and process microbial antigens.
2. When a dendritic cell phagocytizes a microbe, it breaks down the microbe into smaller antigenic peptides inside its phagolysosome.
3. These antigenic peptides are then loaded onto Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules within the dendritic cell.
4. The dendritic cell migrates to lymphoid tissues and presents the antigen-MHC complex on its surface to T cells.
5. This antigen presentation activates T cells, initiating the adaptive immune response, rather than the dendritic cell destroying itself, releasing antibodies, or transforming into another cell type.