Final answer:
Naive T lymphocytes mature in the thymus and subsequently travel to peripheral lymphoid tissues where they are activated by antigens presented by dendritic cells, with option C being the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Naive T lymphocytes, after maturation in the thymus, do not travel to infected tissues or the bone marrow; instead, they move to the peripheral lymphoid tissues to get activated by their antigens presented by dendritic cells. This is because cells of the immune system, including naive T cells, transit from the bone marrow to the thymus for maturation. Once mature, they circulate to secondary lymphoid organs like lymph nodes, where they can be activated by antigen-presenting cells, which primarily include dendritic cells.
These antigen-presenting cells (APCs) capture and process antigens and inform nearby lymphocytes about potential pathogens. Naive T cells are fully functional immunologically and are waiting for exposure to an antigen to initiate an immune response.
The correct answer to the question is C. The peripheral lymphoid tissues act as sites where mature naive T cells encounter antigens presented by dendritic cells, leading to their activation.