AEMCA Practice Exam

What type of cells are predominantly found in the follicles of the cortex of lymph nodes?

1. Macrophages

2. B-cells

3. T-cells

4. Dendritic cells

The correct answer is: B-cells

The follicles of the cortex of lymph nodes are primarily populated by B-cells, which are a crucial component of the adaptive immune response. These follicles serve as sites for B-cell proliferation and differentiation, particularly in response to antigens presented in the lymphatic circulation. Within the follicles, B-cells undergo processes such as class-switching and somatic hypermutation, allowing them to produce antibodies that are highly specific to invading pathogens. B-cells can also form germinal centers within these follicles when responding to an antigen, where they mature and diversify their antibody responses. This makes them essential for the formation of long-lived memory B-cells and the generation of high-affinity antibodies. While other cell types, such as T-cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, play important roles in the immune response, they are generally not the predominant cell type found within the follicles of the lymph node cortex. Instead, T-cells are primarily located in the paracortex or deeper regions of the lymph node, while dendritic cells are involved in antigen presentation, primarily residing at the borders of the follicles or in the paracortex.