Final answer:
B cells and T cells differ in their roles in antibody production and cytotoxicity, as well as in the receptors they bind and how they are activated.
Step-by-step explanation:
A difference between B cells and T cells is that:
- One has a major role in antibody production, while the other has a major role in cytotoxicity. B cells, when activated, produce antibodies in the humoral immune response, while T cells stimulate the cell-mediated immune response by physically attacking foreign or diseased cells.
- One binds a receptor called BCR (B-cell receptor), while the other recognizes a receptor called TCR (T-cell receptor). B cells bind intact antigens through their BCR, while T cells recognize antigens that have been digested and embedded in MHC molecules by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) through their TCR.
- T cells are produced in the thymus and B cells are produced in the bone marrow.
- B cells are activated by free-floating antigens in the blood or lymph, while T cells are activated by membrane-bound antigens.