Removal of which gland leads to a deficiency in T cells?

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Multiple Choice

Removal of which gland leads to a deficiency in T cells?

Explanation:
T cells mature in the thymus, so removing that gland eliminates the main site where thymocytes develop into functional T lymphocytes. In the thymus, precursor cells from the bone marrow undergo education and selection to become mature T cells capable of recognizing antigens in the context of self-MHC. Without this maturation environment, the body cannot produce new naive T cells, leading to a deficiency in T cell–mediated immunity. The other glands listed regulate hormones and metabolism but are not involved in T cell maturation, so their removal does not specifically cause a T cell deficiency. Clinically, thymus absence or removal results in impaired cellular immunity due to reduced T cell numbers.

T cells mature in the thymus, so removing that gland eliminates the main site where thymocytes develop into functional T lymphocytes. In the thymus, precursor cells from the bone marrow undergo education and selection to become mature T cells capable of recognizing antigens in the context of self-MHC. Without this maturation environment, the body cannot produce new naive T cells, leading to a deficiency in T cell–mediated immunity. The other glands listed regulate hormones and metabolism but are not involved in T cell maturation, so their removal does not specifically cause a T cell deficiency. Clinically, thymus absence or removal results in impaired cellular immunity due to reduced T cell numbers.

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