OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

The concept of specific defense mechanisms refers to the body's adaptive immune response, which targets specific pathogens more effectively than the innate immune system. In this context, specific defense mechanisms encompass the actions of lymphocytes such as B cells and T cells.

Phagocytosis is a process primarily associated with the innate immune system and is not specific to a particular pathogen. It involves immune cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, engulfing and digesting cellular debris and pathogens, but it does not involve the recognition of specific antigens. Therefore, while phagocytosis is a crucial part of the overall immune response, it does not fit the definition of a specific defense mechanism.

B cells and helper T cells play critical roles in the adaptive immune response. B cells are responsible for producing antibodies that target specific antigens, while helper T cells assist in activating B cells and other immune cells through a more tailored response to previously encountered pathogens.

Given this context, a more fitting response to the question about specific defense mechanisms would involve B cells or helper T cells, as they are key players in the adaptive immune system that specifically respond to and remember pathogens.