Difference Between T Lymphocytes and B Lymphocytes
Blood has complex molecular structure. It can mainly be divided into two parts: cells and plasma. Cells further have two types: Red Blood Cells or RBC and White Blood Cells or WBC. RBC carries the Oxygen whereas WBC is responsible for defense mechanism. WBC, again are of two type -1) Cytoplasm cells containing granules or granulocytes and 2) non-granular cells in the cytoplasm known as agranulocytes.
Granulocytes have two types: monocytes and lymphocytes. The count of lymphocytes in blood increases during illness, TB infections and viral infections. These are used to identify the type of foreign particles/virus in the body. Based on their functions Lymphocytes can be divided in two parts: T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. T lymphocytes grow and complete their maturity phase in Thymus whereas B lymphocytes in lymph nodes. The function of T lymphocytes is to kill the infected cells. Some of them can be classified as Helper cells as well.
On the other hand, B lymphocytes secrete antibodies which neutralize the antigen. The secretion of antibodies depends on the type of infection. During the process of secretion, B cells are called Plasma cells.
Though, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes can be differentiated on the basis of their functions, they are guards and responders of body’s immune system. Both of them are types of WBC. Both of them are produced in bone marrow but mature in spleen and lymph nodes respectively. In chronic ailments such as HIV, the virus attack T Lymphocytes and destroy them thus, eliminating the natural defense mechanism of a body.