Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune system. They are produced in the bone marrow and can be found in the blood, lymph nodes, and other lymphoid tissues.
There are three main types of lymphocytes:
1. T lymphocytes (T cells): These cells mature in the thymus gland and are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They recognize and destroy infected cells, cancer cells, and foreign substances. T cells can be further classified into helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, and regulatory T cells.
2. B lymphocytes (B cells): These cells mature in the bone marrow and are responsible for humoral immunity. B cells produce antibodies that can recognize and neutralize specific pathogens or foreign substances. They also play a role in the activation of other immune cells.
3. Natural killer (NK) cells: These cells are part of the innate immune system and are responsible for recognizing and destroying infected or cancerous cells. NK cells do not require prior exposure to a specific antigen to initiate their response.
These different types of lymphocytes work together to provide a coordinated immune response against pathogens and foreign substances.