Why does our immune system not usually attack our own healthy tissues?

• A. Because such lymphocytes are never produced
• B. Because such lymphocytes are converted into other cells of the immune system
• C. All of the specific listed responses are correct.
• D. None of the specific listed responses is correct.
• E. Because such lymphocytes are destroyed or rendered nonfunctional

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of self-tolerance in the immune system, which is the ability of the immune system to recognize and not attack the body's own healthy cells.
2. Learn about the process of negative selection in the thymus, where T cells that strongly react to self-antigens are eliminated to prevent autoimmunity.
3. Explore the role of regulatory T cells, which help suppress immune responses that could target the body's own tissues.
4. Recognize that lymphocytes (T cells and B cells) that could potentially attack self-tissues are either destroyed or rendered nonfunctional during their development.
5. Conclude that the immune system has mechanisms in place, such as the destruction or inactivation of self-reactive lymphocytes, to prevent attacks on healthy tissues.