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LYMPHOCYTES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIFIC IMMUNITY.
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LYMPHOCYTES ARE PRODUCED IN RED BONE MARROW.
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LYMPHOCYTES ARE FOUND IN THE BLOODSTREAM, SPLEEN, TONSILS, LYMPH NODES, AND THYMUS GLAND.
Lymphatic system consists of lymph, lymphocytes, lymphatic vessels, lymph nodules, lymph nodes, thymus gland, tonsils and the spleen. The lymphocytes, in particular, belong to this system.
Lymph nodes (bean-shaped structures composed of lymphatic tissue) also called lymph glands, located throughout the body along the lymphatic routes (vessels of the lymphatic system), contain lymphocytes.
Bone marrow, found inside long bones, makes billions of new lymphocytes needed by our body every day.
Lymphocytes are the white blood cells of the immune system and provide specific defenses as they recognize foreign invaders. While lymphocytes identify an antigen, they bind to the antigen and start a specific attack.
Lymphocytes are the second most abundant type of white blood cell as they account for 25 - 35% of all white blood cells.
The two types of lymphocytes are (1) B-lymphocytes or B cells and (2) T- lymphocytes or T cells.
B cells mature in the bone marrow, but T cells mature in the thymus.
(1) B-lymphocytes or B cells
Maturation and differentiation of B cells will occur in the bone marrow itself. We may say in other words that B cells are made in the bone marrow and complete their development there. Mature B cells called plasma cells produce antibodies for recognizing and neutralizing alien macromolecules.
(2) T- lymphocytes or T cells
T cells are also made in the bone marrow but get matured only after travelling to the Thymus. T cells can recognize and selectively kill cells infected with viruses. There are some T cells for example, Cytotoxic T cells directly kills pathogens.
