Upon T cell activation, what happens to the T cells?

• A. They become quiescent
• B. They undergo rapid proliferation
• C. They exit the lymphatic system
• D. They differentiate into plasma cells

Answer: (B)

When T cells are activated, they undergo rapid proliferation. This process is a crucial part of the adaptive immune response. Upon recognizing specific antigens presented by antigen-presenting cells, T cells receive signals that stimulate their division. This expansion results in a large population of T cells that are capable of combating the specific pathogen associated with the antigen.

The rapid proliferation of activated T cells ensures a strong and effective immune response. These proliferating cells then differentiate into various subtypes, such as cytotoxic T cells, which can directly kill infected cells, or helper T cells, which assist in orchestrating the immune response. This proliferation is essential for developing a robust immune memory, enabling the body to respond more quickly to future exposures to the same pathogen.

As for the other options, quiescent T cells would not effectively respond to an infection, exiting the lymphatic system is not the immediate action following activation, and differentiating into plasma cells pertains to B cells rather than T cells. Therefore, the choice of rapid proliferation aligns best with the immune response mechanisms.