cd8 t cell

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Explanation of "CD8 T Cell"

Definition: A CD8 T cell is a type of white blood cell that plays an important role in the immune system. It has a special receptor called CD8 that helps it recognize and attack cells infected by viruses. When a CD8 T cell finds an infected cell, it binds to it and can destroy it, helping to protect the body from diseases.

Usage Instructions:

• Context: You can use the term “CD8 T cell” when discussing topics related to biology, immunology, or health, especially in the context of how the immune system works.
• Sentence Structure: Usually, "CD8 T cell" is used as a noun. For example, "CD8 T cells are essential for fighting viral infections."

Example Sentence:

• "When the body is infected with a virus, CD8 T cells are activated to find and kill the infected cells."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you may encounter terms like "immunotherapy," where CD8 T cells are engineered to enhance their ability to fight cancer. For example: - "Researchers are developing treatments that use CD8 T cells to target and eliminate tumor cells."

Word Variants:

• T Cell: This is a broader term that refers to a kind of white blood cell that includes different types, such as CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells.
• Cytotoxic T Cell: This is another name for CD8 T cells, emphasizing their role in killing infected or cancerous cells.

Different Meanings:

In biology, "CD8" specifically refers to the type of receptor on the T cell. However, outside of biology, "CD" can refer to "compact disc" in music, or "certificate of deposit" in finance. Always consider the context to determine the meaning.

Synonyms:

• Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte (CTL): This term refers specifically to the function of CD8 T cells in killing infected or cancerous cells.
• Killer T Cell: This is an informal term that is often used to describe CD8 T cells.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While "CD8 T cell" does not have idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it, it’s often discussed in phrases like: - "Mount an immune response," which means to activate the immune system, including CD8 T cells, to fight an infection.

Summary:

In summary, a CD8 T cell is a specific type of immune cell that helps protect the body from virus-infected cells. It is crucial for maintaining health and fighting 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