OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

Which cell becomes immunocompetent in the bone marrow?

1. Thymus

2. Bone marrow

3. Liver

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Thymus

The process of immunocompetence refers to the ability of immune cells to recognize and respond to antigens. In the context of your question, the cells that become immunocompetent are specifically the B lymphocytes, which mature in the bone marrow. This maturation involves the development of the necessary receptors to recognize foreign pathogens, allowing them to function effectively in the immune response. The thymus is primarily responsible for the maturation of T lymphocytes, not B lymphocytes, which is why it does not fit the criteria of the question regarding where cells become immunocompetent. While the bone marrow is indeed where B cells gain their immunological competence, the liver does not play a direct role in the maturation of immunocompetent cells. Therefore, the correct understanding is that bone marrow is the site where B cells develop their competence, making it the accurate answer in this context.