Final answer:
T-cells undergo a process of development and maturation in the thymus known as gamma/delta development. Thymocytes, immature T-cells, go through stages of positive and negative selection to ensure function and tolerance. Only a small percentage of thymocytes leave the thymus as mature and functional T-cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
T-cells, a type of white blood cell involved in immune response, are produced in the bone marrow and then migrate to the thymus, where they undergo a process of development and maturation. This process is known as gamma/delta development in the thymus.
During this development, thymocytes, which are immature T-cells, go through a series of stages that ensure their function and tolerance before they become fully mature and functional T-cells. These stages involve positive selection, where thymocytes bind to MHC molecules of 'self' for recognition and survival, and negative selection, where self-reactive T-cells are eliminated to prevent autoimmune reactions.
By the end of this process, only about 2% of thymocytes that enter the thymus leave as mature and functional T-cells, ready to participate in the adaptive immune response.