Cytotoxic T cell facts for kids
A cytotoxic T cell is a type of white blood cell. It is a T lymphocyte which kills cancer cells, cells infected with viruses, or cells that are damaged in other ways.
Most cytotoxic T cells have T-cell receptors (TCRs) which recognize a specific antigen from a cancer cell or virus.
Antigens inside a cell are brought to the surface of the cell by major histocompatibility complex molecules, where they can be recognized by the T cell. If the TCR is specific for that antigen, it binds to the complex of MHC molecule and antigen, and the T cell destroys the cell.
Images for kids
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Development of single positive T cells in the thymus
See also
In Spanish: Linfocito T CD8+ para niños
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Cytotoxic T cell Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.