Question

Identify each characteristic as relating to the thymus, spleen, or tonsils.

Aids in T-cell maturation

Crypts increase surface area

Decreases in size significantly after puberty

First defense against ingested or foreign pathogens

Includes areas of red pulp and white pulp

Recycles red blood cells

Answer 1

The thymus aids in T-cell maturation and decreases in size after puberty; tonsils have crypts that increase surface area and are the first line of defense against ingested or inhaled pathogens; the spleen includes areas of red pulp and white pulp and recycles red blood cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's identify each characteristic as relating to the thymus, spleen, or tonsils:

Aids in T-cell maturation: This is a function of the thymus. T cells, or T-lymphocytes, mature in the thymus, preparing to distinguish self from non-self.

Crypts increase surface area: The tonsils have crypts that increase their surface area to trap pathogens more efficiently.

Decreases in size significantly after puberty: This refers to the thymus, which is most active in children and shrinks significantly after puberty.

First defense against ingested or foreign pathogens: The tonsils act as the first line of defense against pathogens that are inhaled or ingested.

Includes areas of red pulp and white pulp: This characteristic is associated with the spleen, which has regions called red pulp, where old red blood cells are recycled, and white pulp, which is rich in lymphocytes and helps filter pathogens from the blood.

Recycles red blood cells: The spleen recycles degenerating or damaged red blood cells.

Answer 2

The thymus aids in T-cell maturation and decreases in size after puberty; the tonsils have crypts to increase surface area and act as the first defense against pathogens; and the spleen contains red and white pulp, filters blood, houses immune cells, and recycles red blood cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Characteristics of Thymus, Spleen, and Tonsils

Each of the following characteristics can be related to specific lymphatic organs:

Aids in T-cell maturation: This characteristic is related to the thymus, as it is where T cells mature.

Crypts increase surface area: This pertains to the tonsils, as they have crypts which increase the surface area for encountering pathogens.

Decreases in size significantly after puberty: Again, this characteristic is associated with the thymus, which shrinks after puberty.

First defense against ingested or inhaled pathogens: The tonsils are involved in the first line of defense against pathogens entering through the mouth or nose.

Includes areas of red pulp and white pulp: This is specific to the spleen, which contains these distinct areas involved in filtering blood and mounting immune responses.

Recycles red blood cells: The spleen plays this role by removing old or damaged red blood cells from the circulation.