Chapter 37, Problem 22A

Summary Introduction

To write:

The involvement of thymus in the development of immunity.

Introduction:

The thymus gland regulates the immune system through the development of immune cells that is responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Thymus also produces hormones that promote both growth and maturation.

Explanation of Solution

The thymus helps in the development of an effective immune system as well as an endocrine function. In thymus the specialized microenvironments allow the production of self-tolerant T cells from immature precursors.The thymus gland regulates the immune system through the development of immune cells that is responsible for cell-mediated immunity. The thymus also produces hormones that promote both growth and maturation. The thymus gland has some macrophages. Macrophages are known as the "garbage trucks" of the immune system because they eat foreign matter. Dendritic cells and a few B lymphocytes also reside in the thymus.