What Is The Function Of Lymphocytes?

The purpose of lymphocytes is to direct the body’s immune system. There are three different types of lymphocyte and each one has a different purpose in the immune system. The first type are called NK (Natural Killer) cells and are a major part of defending the body from both tumours and viral infections They do this by recognising infected cells and destroying them. These lymphocytes are known as Natural killer cells because these cells do not need prior activation to react to infected cells.

The other two types of lymphocytes are T cells (thymus cells) and B cells (bone cells). The B cells produce the majority of antibodies to neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. T cells produce cytokines (a type of cell signalling molecule) which directs the immune responses. Once these cells have been activated by a virus or bacteria, a group of antigens are created which if the same bacteria or virus were to appear again the cells would have a barrier to protect from re infecting the body. T cells make up 75 per cent of your total lymphocytes in the body and all of these can live for weeks, months or even years.

As stated by their name, T cells are located in the thymus which is situated in the chest between the heart and sternum (breast bone). These cells start in the bone marrow and then travel to the thymus where they mature. Whereas bone cells start at mature and develop in the bone marrow.

A Lymphocyte is basically a type of White Blood cell which is present in the vertebrate immune system. They are mostly called as the natural killer cells. The two main categories of these cells found in the immune system are Large Granular lymphocytes and small lymphocyte.

The Lymphocytes play an important role in the defenses of the body. The functions performed by Lymphocytes vary according to their types. Such as:

- The natural Killers cells perform lysis of virally infected cells and tumor cells.
- Helper T cells release cytokines and growth factors which help in regulation of other immune cells.
- Cytotoxic T Cells perform lysis of virally infected cells, tumor cells and also allografts
- B Cells perform secretion of antibodies.
- γδ T cells perform immunoregulation and cytotoxicity.

Lymphocytes are one of the types of WBC and their function is to fight against infection. For details, visit this link.