Final answer:
The false statement about T lymphocytes is that 'T lymphocytes produce antibody molecules.' This function is actually performed by B lymphocytes, while T lymphocytes are involved in cell-mediated immunity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The false statement about T lymphocytes is that 'T lymphocytes produce antibody molecules.' This is incorrect because it is actually B lymphocytes, not T lymphocytes, that are responsible for the production of antibody molecules involved in the body's defense against pathogens (humoral immunity). T lymphocytes, on the other hand, are primarily involved in cell-mediated immunity. They have T-cell receptors (TCRs) that recognize antigens presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of other cells, which is essential for their role in the immune response. T lymphocytes include helper T cells, regulatory T cells, and cytotoxic T cells, each performing different functions in the immune system.
While both B cells and T cells are crucial components of the adaptive immune system, their functions and processes of maturation differ. T lymphocytes do not produce antibodies, but rather perform functions such as assisting other immune cells, regulating immune responses, and destroying infected or cancerous cells.