[Campbell Biology P.1016] Considering the pathways shown in Figure 43.23, what would be the m... | Practice Question

Considering the pathways shown in Figure 43.23, what would be the most significant consequence for a person whose Helper T cells are severely compromised e.g., due to HIV infection , especially concerning the initiation of new adaptive immune responses?

  • A: The body would be completely unable to produce antibodies.
  • B: Both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses would be severely impaired, as Helper T cells stimulate B cells and Cytotoxic T cells.
  • C: Only the cell-mediated immune response would be affected, leading to susceptibility to viral infections.
  • D: Memory cells would not be formed, but primary responses would remain unaffected.

Explanation

Figure 43.23 clearly shows Helper T cells stimulating B cells for humoral response and Cytotoxic T cells for cell-mediated response . If Helper T cells are severely compromised, their ability to stimulate these other key immune cells would be greatly diminished, leading to a widespread impairment of both major branches of the adaptive immune response.