Within the spleen, which job belongs to the white pulp?
AFiltering worn red blood cells
BDraining lymph from the gut
CHolding dietary fat as chyle
DMounting T and B cell responses
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Mounting T and B cell responses
1. Each splenic nodule holds two distinguishable regions, red pulp and white pulp.
2. Red pulp consists of reticular fibers with fixed macrophages, free macrophages and the other cells typical of blood, including red blood cells.
3. Red pulp therefore works as a filtration system of the blood, using cells of the relatively nonspecific immune response.
4. White pulp surrounds a central arteriole and holds germinal centers of dividing B cells surrounded by T cells and accessory cells.
5. White pulp is therefore where adaptive T and B cell responses are mounted.
6. Removing dying red blood cells is red pulp work, which is the trap in the first option.
7. Chyle is the lipid-rich lymph formed in the lacteals of the small intestine, and gut lymph drains through the cisterna chyli into the thoracic duct.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 21 "The Lymphatic and Immune System", section 21.1 Anatomy of the Lymphatic and Immune Systems_
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