Final answer:
Mature lymphocytes populate secondary lymphatic organs following maturation. B cells mature in the bone marrow, while T cells mature in the thymus before moving to organs like the spleen and lymph nodes to engage in immune responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the development process, mature lymphocytes populate secondary lymphatic organs. The correct answer to the question is C) Lymphatic organs. The primary lymphoid organs, the bone marrow, and the thymus gland are where lymphocytes such as B cells and T cells mature. B cells mature within the bone marrow itself, which is why they are termed B cells. Conversely, T cells originate from the bone marrow but migrate to the thymus to complete their maturation, thus being named T cells.
Following maturation, these lymphocytes populate secondary lymphatic organs such as the spleen, lymph nodes, and tonsils. These organs are integral to the adaptive immune response, as they are sites where lymphocytes encounter pathogens, become activated, and initiate immune responses. The spleen functions in filtering blood, while lymph nodes are key locations for lymph filtration and activation of the immune response.