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During T-cell development, immature T cells are screened to see whether they bind to the body's own self proteins. What happens to a T cell that binds self proteins during this screening?
AIt becomes a permanent memory cell that ignores all future signals
BIt migrates to the extracellular matrix and stops signaling entirely
CIt initiates apoptosis to remove the potentially dangerous cell
DIt begins secreting neurotransmitters to alert nearby nerve cells
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. It initiates apoptosis to remove the potentially dangerous cell
1. Immature T-cells undergo screening to determine whether they bind to so-called self proteins.
2. Normally, T-cells do not target self proteins, since doing so can lead to autoimmune disease.
3. If the T-cell receptor does bind to self proteins, the cell initiates apoptosis to remove the potentially dangerous cell.
4. Becoming a memory cell, migrating to the extracellular matrix, or secreting neurotransmitters are not the outcomes described for this screening step.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 9 "Cell Communication", section Cell Death_
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