37. Which of the following types of cells stimulates other immune cells to attack and destroy foreign agents?
Answer: C
Helper T-cells stimulate other immune cells to attack and destroy foreign agents.
Helper T-cells play a crucial role in the immune response by activating other immune cells, such as B-cells and cytotoxic T-cells, to effectively attack and destroy foreign agents.
A) Cytotoxic T-cells
Cytotoxic T-cells are primarily responsible for directly killing infected or cancerous cells, rather than stimulating other immune cells. While they are essential in the immune response, they do not play the role of activating other immune cells.
B) Natural killer cells
Natural killer cells are involved in the innate immune response and can destroy infected or cancerous cells without prior sensitization. However, they do not specifically stimulate other immune cells to mount a response, which differentiates them from Helper T-cells.
C) Helper T-cells
Helper T-cells are essential in the immune response as they release cytokines that stimulate B-cells and cytotoxic T-cells, enhancing the body's ability to combat infections. This activation and coordination of other immune cells make them critical for an effective immune response.
D) Plasma cells
Plasma cells are differentiated B-cells that produce antibodies specific to pathogens. While they are important for the humoral immune response, they do not stimulate other immune cells, which is a key function of Helper T-cells.
Conclusion
Helper T-cells are uniquely positioned to activate and regulate other immune cells, making them vital for a coordinated immune response against foreign agents. In contrast, the other options either perform direct attack functions or are involved in antibody production without the specific role of stimulating additional immune cells. This distinction establishes Helper T-cells as the correct answer.