Question

T cells or B cells that are capable of responding to a specific antigen by binding to it with antigen-specific receptors that appear on the lymphocyte's surface are considered ________.

A) clones
B) complement
C) self-tolerant
D) immunocompetent

Answer 1

T cells or B cells capable of responding to a specific antigen by binding to it with antigen-specific receptors are considered immunocompetent, a term that describes their ability to recognize and react to foreign antigens while being tolerant of the body's own cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

T cells or B cells that are capable of responding to a specific antigen by binding to it with antigen-specific receptors that appear on the lymphocyte's surface are considered immunocompetent. These immunocompetent cells are key to the adaptive immune system as they have receptors that allow them to recognize and bind to foreign molecules, or antigens. The maturation of B and T cells involves becoming capable of recognizing their specific antigen, and the process includes the elimination of those cells that bind too strongly to the body's own cells, thus ensuring self-tolerance. Clonal selection leads to the proliferation of these immunocompetent cells once their receptors are activated by the antigen. This results in a polyclonal response, where multiple clones of T cells, each with unique receptors for the antigen, proliferate to effectively combat an infection.