Final answer:
Immature B and T lymphocytes arise from hematopoietic stem cells in the red bone marrow. B cells mature in the bone marrow, while T cells migrate to the thymus for maturation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that play an essential role in the adaptive immune response. The production and maturation of these cells occur in specific areas of the body. Immature T lymphocytes, which are integral to cell-mediated immunity, originate from hematopoietic stem cells in the red bone marrow, but they migrate to and mature in the thymus.
This maturation process involves the elimination of thymocytes that could potentially cause an autoimmune response. B cells, which are responsible for antibody-mediated immunity, are produced and mature entirely within the bone marrow. After maturation, B cells and T cells enter the circulatory and lymphatic systems to perform their immunological functions.