Final answer:
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes are typically characterized by the expression of CD8 on their surface. CD8 serves as a coreceptor for T cell receptors and binds to MHC class I molecules to activate cytotoxic T cells. Naïve CD8+ T cells differentiate into cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which directly kill infected cells by inducing apoptosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes are typically characterized by the expression of CD8 on their surface. CD8 is a cluster of differentiation (CD) molecule that serves as a coreceptor for T cell receptors (TCRs) on cytotoxic T cells. It binds to MHC class I molecules on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to activate the cytotoxic T cells.
Naïve CD8+ T cells differentiate into cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which directly kill infected cells by inducing apoptosis.