Word: T Lymphocyte
Definition: A T lymphocyte, often called a T cell, is a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system. It develops in an area of the body called the thymus. T lymphocytes help the body fight infections and diseases by recognizing and attacking infected or cancerous cells.
Usage Instructions: - When discussing the immune system, you can refer to T lymphocytes when talking about how the body defends itself against illnesses. - Use "T cell" as a shorter, more common way to say T lymphocyte.
Example Sentence: "When the body detects a virus, T lymphocytes are activated to help eliminate the infected cells."
Advanced Usage: - In medical or biological contexts, you might encounter phrases like "T cell activation" or "T cell response," which refer to how these cells respond to pathogens or cancer.
Word Variants: - T cell (short form) - Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (a specific type of T cell that kills cancer cells or cells infected with viruses) - Helper T cell (another type that helps other immune cells)
Different Meanings: - In a biological context, "T lymphocyte" has a specific meaning related to the immune system. There are no other common meanings outside this context.
Synonyms: - T cell (most commonly used synonym) - Thymus-derived lymphocyte (a more technical term)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with "T lymphocyte," as it is a scientific term.
Summary: A T lymphocyte (or T cell) is a vital part of the immune system, helping the body fight off infections and diseases.