Question

What population of T cell is identified to be the one found in the greatest amount within our bodies?

a. α:δ T cells
b. γ:δ T cells
c. α:β T cells
d. β:γ T cells
e. None of the above

Answer 1

The most abundant T cells in the human body are the α:β T cells, with CD4+ T cells being more numerous than CD8+ T cells. Option a.

Step-by-step explanation:

The population of T cell identified to be the most abundant in the human body is the α:β T cells (alpha-beta T cells). These T cells recognize antigens using a two-chain protein receptor that is the most common and important among T cell receptors, with alpha and beta chains. In contrast, γ:δ T cells (gamma-delta T cells) are less common.

CD8+ T cells, or cytotoxic T cells, which are characterized by the expression of CD8 on their surface, make up about one-fourth of the total T cell population and are fewer in number than CD4+ T cells (helper and regulatory T cells). Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells have a T cell receptor on their surface.

So Option a is correct.