🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📌 The Question

Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body?

(a) They protect the body from environmental allergens.
(b) They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
(c) They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
(d) They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.

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✅ Answer

(d)

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

The human immune system protects the body against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Two key cellular components of adaptive (acquired) immunity are:

• B cells (B-lymphocytes)
  • Produce antibodies that specifically bind to antigens on pathogens.
  • Responsible for humoral (antibody-mediated) immunity.
• T cells (T-lymphocytes)
  • Include Helper T cells (CD4⁺) that activate other immune cells.
  • Include Cytotoxic T cells (CD8⁺) that directly kill infected or abnormal cells.
  • Responsible for cell-mediated immunity.

Together, B cells and T cells form the backbone of the body’s defense against infectious diseases.

Hence, they protect the body from diseases caused by pathogens.

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🔍 Curiosity Raiser

Why do vaccines work?
Because they train B cells and T cells to remember a pathogen before the real infection happens.

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📚 Enrichment Notes

• Innate immunity is fast but non-specific; adaptive immunity is slower but highly specific.
• Memory B cells and Memory T cells provide long-term protection after infection or vaccination.
• Disorders like HIV/AIDS specifically target T cells, crippling immune defense.

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🪔 IAS Monk Whisper

“Immunity is not brute force — it is intelligent remembrance.”