cd8 cell

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The term "CD8 cell" refers to a type of immune cell important for fighting infections. Let's break this down step by step:

Basic Definition:

• CD8 Cell: A type of T cell (which is a kind of white blood cell) that has a special receptor called "CD8." This receptor helps the CD8 cell find and destroy cells that are infected by viruses.

How It Works:

• When a virus infects a cell in your body, that cell will display pieces of the virus (called antigens) on its surface.
• The CD8 cell can recognize these antigens because of its CD8 receptor.
• Once it finds an infected cell, the CD8 cell binds to it and helps destroy it, which helps the body fight off the infection.

Usage Instructions:

• You can refer to CD8 cells when talking about the immune system, particularly in the context of how the body fights infections.

Example Sentence:

• "CD8 cells play a crucial role in protecting the body against viral infections by killing infected cells."

Advanced Usage:

• In medical discussions, you might hear about the importance of CD8 cells in vaccines or in treatments for diseases like cancer, where boosting these cells can help the body fight disease more effectively.

Word Variants:

• T Cell: This is a broader category that includes CD8 cells as well as other types like CD4 cells, which have different functions in the immune system.
• Cytotoxic T Cell: Another name for CD8 cells because they can kill infected or cancerous cells.

Different Meanings:

• In a general context, "CD8" doesn't have other meanings outside of immunology, but it's important to note that "cell" can refer to many types of cells in biology, not just T cells.

Synonyms:

• Cytotoxic T lymphocyte: This is another term for a CD8 cell, emphasizing its ability to kill infected cells.

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs related to "CD8 cell," as it is a technical term used mainly in biology and medicine.

Summary:

Understanding CD8 cells is essential for grasping how our immune system works to protect us from infections.

Academic

Noun

1. T cell with CD8 receptor that recognizes antigens on the surface of a virus-infected cell and binds to the infected cell and kill it

Synonyms

• killer T cell
• killer cell
• cytotoxic T cell
• CD8 T cell
• CD8 cell