False-colour transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a single, activated cytotoxic (\killer\") T-lymphocyte (left, a class of white blood cell) afte

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False-colour transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a single, activated cytotoxic (\killer\") T-lymphocyte (left, a class of white blood cell) after delivering the \"kiss of death\" to its target cell. T-lymphocytes are involved in cell-mediated response to invasion of body by foreign microorganisms, notably viruses and some bacteria, which are protected from antibodies (secreted by B-lymphocytes) by their host cells. \"Killer\" T- cells recognize antigens on their target cell & bind to the surface membrane. Dark vesicles between 2 cells represent T-cell enzymes involved in the destruction of the target cell membrane."

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Size: 4831px × 3609px
Photo credit: © EDELMANN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -lymphocyte, activated, anatomy, blood, body, cell, cell-mediated, cells, cytotoxic, destruction, false-coloured, human, immune, killer, response, white