OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

When activated, T cells become:

1. killer and helper cells

2. memory and suppressor cells

3. cytotoxic cells

4. all of the above

The correct answer is: all of the above

The immune response involves a variety of T cell types that become activated to perform distinct but complementary functions in fighting infections. When T cells are activated, they can differentiate into various types of cells depending on the needs of the immune system. Killer T cells, also known as cytotoxic T cells, are specifically trained to recognize and destroy virus-infected cells or cancer cells. Helper T cells play a crucial role in assisting other immune cells by releasing cytokines that coordinate the overall immune response. Additionally, upon activation, T cells can also form memory cells which persist long-term and provide a quicker, more robust response upon re-exposure to the same antigen. Suppressor T cells, or regulatory T cells, help to dampen the immune response once it has effectively targeted pathogens, ensuring that the response does not become excessive or misdirected. Since activated T cells can differentiate into killer cells, helper cells, memory cells, and suppressor cells, it is correct to say that all of these options represent potential outcomes of T cell activation. Hence, selecting the answer that encompasses all these capabilities reflects a comprehensive understanding of T cell activation and differentiation in immune responses.