Final answer:
Helper T cells (CD4+ T cells) do not kill cells directly but play a regulatory role by releasing cytokines, whereas Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ T cells) directly kill infected or cancerous cells through induced apoptosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Helper T cells are able to directly kill any cell that they come into contact with is false. Helper T cells, also known as CD4+ T cells, do not destroy infected cells directly. Instead, they play a crucial role in managing immune responses by releasing cytokines that control the activity of other immune cells such as B cells and macrophages.
It is actually the Cytotoxic T cells, also known as CD8+ T cells or killer T cells, that directly kill infected cells by inducing cell death through apoptosis, often using toxic molecules like perforin and granzymes. These cells are key components of the cell-mediated immune response, particularly in the fight against viral infections and in identifying and destroying cancerous cells.