Final answer:
B cells mature within the bone marrow and then travel to secondary lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes and spleen, where they become activated upon encountering their specific antigen. T cells mature in the thymus and also migrate to secondary lymphoid organs to participate in immune responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
B cells are an integral part of the adaptive immune system and are responsible for producing antibodies. These cells originate from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. During their development, B cells mature in the bone marrow where they generate diverse receptors that will help them recognize a wide array of pathogens. Upon maturation, these cells are released into the circulation and migrate to secondary lymphoid organs, such as the spleen and lymph nodes, where they await exposure to their specific antigen.
In contrast to B cells, T cells also originate in the bone marrow but then travel to the thymus, where they undergo a maturation process. Here, they learn to distinguish between self and non-self antigens through a rigorous selection process. This maturation is crucial for preventing autoimmune responses by eliminating T cells that react to self-antigens. Upon maturation, T cells are released into the bloodstream and seek out secondary lymphoid organs, where they can participate in the adaptive immune response alongside B cells.
Secondary lymphoid organs are essential for the function of mature lymphocytes as they are the sites where immune responses are mounted. These include lymph nodes, which filter lymph fluid and serve as points of interaction between lymphocytes and pathogens. The spleen filters the blood, trapping blood-borne pathogens and making them available for B and T cells to mount an immune response.