Thymus question?

Question

The thymus secretes

a. T3

b. T4

c. thymosin

d. both a and c

I know it secretes thymosin, and I know it produces and mutures Tcells but does it "secrete" them?

Answer 1

c. Thymosin is a hormone secreted from the thymus. Its primary function is to stimulate the production of T cells, which are an important part of the immune system.

Answer 2

In the two thymic lobes, lymphocyte precursors from the bone-marrow become thymocytes, and subsequently mature into T cells. Once mature, T cells emigrate from the thymus and constitute the peripheral T cell repertoire responsible for directing many facets of the adaptive immune system. Loss of the thymus at an early age through genetic mutation or surgical removal results in severe immunodeficiency and a high susceptibility to infection. The ability of T cells to recognize foreign antigens is mediated by the T cell receptor. The T cell receptor undergoes genetic rearrangement during thymocyte maturation, resulting in each T cell bearing a unique T cell receptor, specific to a limited set of peptide:MHC combinations. The random nature of the genetic rearrangement results in a requirement of central tolerance mechanisms to remove or inactive those T cells which bear a T cell receptor with the ability to recognise self-peptides.

Answer 3

You just confused T3/T4 (thyroid hormones) and T cells, c is the only choice left (also in your question you just stated "I know it secretes thymosin")

A&P can be difficult, there are a lot of trick questions, so know the definition well. Then you'll see the trick this question have - T3, T4, Tcells ;-) Much easier afterward.

Answer 4

All of the above.