Final answer:
The correct answer is d. A & B. Negative selection is a step in thymic selection that involves eliminating T cells that might attack the body's own cells. This is done through apoptosis (programmed cell death) of thymocytes with defective T-cell receptors or those that react to self-antigens.
Step-by-step explanation:
Negative selection refers to the process of eliminating T cells that might attack the body's own cells. It is a step in the thymic selection process, which occurs in the thymus.
Thymocytes with defective T-cell receptors (TCRs) or those that react to self-antigens are removed through negative selection by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death).