Question

If the thymus gland is taken out in a three-year-old child, what problems will the child experience later in life? A. He will be prone to bacterial infections. B. He will be prone to viral and fungal infections. C. He will have dwarfism. D. He will have gigantism.

Short answer

B. He will be prone to viral and fungal infections.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Role of the Thymus Gland

The thymus gland is essential for the development of the immune system, particularly in the maturation of T-cells, which are crucial for fighting infections.

Identify the Functions Related to T-Cells

T-cells are a type of white blood cell that play a central role in cell-mediated immunity. They help protect the body against infections caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Determine the Impact of Removing the Thymus Gland

Without the thymus gland, the body cannot produce T-cells effectively. This will lead to a weakened immune system, making the person more susceptible to infections.

Evaluate the Options Given

Based on the role of the thymus and the immune functions of T-cells, removing the thymus would most likely result in susceptibility to various infections. Options C (dwarfism) and D (gigantism) are related to growth hormones and are not linked to the thymus. Option B (prone to viral and fungal infections) addresses the broad spectrum of infections T-cells help fight, more so than just bacterial infections.

Choose the Correct Answer

The most comprehensive impact on the immune system due to the lack of T-cells would be being prone to viral and fungal infections.

Key concepts

T-cells maturation

The Thymus gland plays a critical role in the maturation of T-cells. T-cells, a type of white blood cell, are essential for our immune system. These cells begin their journey in the bone marrow, but they must travel to the thymus gland to mature properly. In the thymus, they undergo a selection process.
In this process, only the T-cells that can correctly identify and react to harmful pathogens are allowed to continue developing. This ensures that the immune system is able to detect and respond to various infections effectively.
If the thymus gland is absent or non-functional, T-cells cannot mature. This would mean our body has fewer or poorly functioning T-cells, making it harder to fight off infections. The impact is that without these T-cells, the immune system is significantly weakened.

immune system development

The immune system development is complex and involves multiple organs and cells. One of the key components is the thymus gland, which specializes in developing a functional and diverse T-cell repertoire.
In childhood, the thymus is quite active, producing a large number of T-cells that will help protect the body against pathogens throughout life. As we age, the activity of the thymus decreases. By the time we reach adulthood, the thymus has shrunk and produces fewer T-cells, but the ones produced during childhood provide lifelong immunity.
Removing the thymus gland in childhood disrupts this critical process. The absence of a functional thymus means the body cannot produce a sufficient variety of T-cells, which are necessary for responding to different pathogens. This may result in an underdeveloped immune system that is not equipped to deal with infections effectively.

susceptibility to infections

Susceptibility to infections increases drastically without a functional thymus gland. This is because T-cells are vital in identifying and eliminating pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
If a child loses their thymus gland, the body cannot mature T-cells effectively, leading to immunodeficiency. This means the child will be prone to infections. The infections encountered may be more frequent, severe, and harder to treat.
Specifically, T-cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity, which is crucial for fighting viral and fungal infections. Therefore, children without a thymus are particularly vulnerable to these types of infections. These children may need long-term medical care, such as prophylactic antibiotics or antifungal medications, to help manage and prevent infections.
Understanding the pivotal role of the thymus gland and T-cells emphasizes why removing it has such significant consequences on one's overall health and immune functionality.