Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions. Immune System in the Body The human immune system consists of lymphoid organs, tissues, cells and soluble molecules like antibodies. The primary lymphoid organs are bone marrow and thymus where immature lymphocytes differentiate into antigen-sensitive lymphocytes. After maturation the lymphocytes migrate to secondary lymphoid organs like spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, Peyer's patches of small intestine and appendix. The secondary lymphoid organs provide the sites for interaction of lymphocytes with the antigen, which then proliferate to become effector cells. The bone marrow is the main lymphoid organ where all blood cells including lymphocytes are produced. Each antibody molecule has four peptide chains, two small called light chains and two longer called heavy chains. Hence, an antibody is represented as $H_2L_2$. Different types of antibodies are produced in our body. IgA, IgM, IgE, IgG are some of them. Techniques like radiography (use of X-rays), CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are very useful to detect cancers of the internal organs. |
Maturation of lymphocytes takes place in: |
Secondary lymphoid organs Bone marrow only Bone marrow and thymus Lymph nodes |
Bone marrow and thymus |
The correct answer is Option (3) → Bone marrow and thymus Lymphoid organs: These are the organs where origin and/or maturation and proliferation of lymphocytes occur. The primary lymphoid organs are bone marrow and thymus where immature lymphocytes differentiate into antigen-sensitive lymphocytes. After maturation the lymphocytes migrate to secondary lymphoid organs like spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, Peyer’s patches of small intestine and appendix.The secondary lymphoid organs provide the sites for interaction of lymphocytes with the antigen, which then proliferate to become effector cells. |