Final answer:
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) primarily targets Helper T-lymphocytes, which are essential for activating the immune response. Disruption of these cells can lead to AIDS. Additionally, cytotoxic T cells work with natural killer cells to destroy virally infected cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cell type that is targeted by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the C. Helper T-lymphocyte. These cells play a crucial role in the immune response by helping in the activation of both cytotoxic T cells and B cells, which are essential for the adaptive immunity against infections. HIV targets CD4+ helper T cells, disrupting the immune system's ability to fight off infections. This has serious implications for the immune responses, as it weakens the ability of the body to deal with pathogens and can eventually lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
As a part of the immune response, cytotoxic T cells, also known as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (TC), work in concert with natural killer cells to attack and destroy virally infected cells. The cytotoxic T cells specifically target cells that are infected internally, such as by viruses, by recognizing the infected cells and initiating their destruction.