Which of the following cells are primarily involved in the adaptive immune response?

The cells primarily involved in the adaptive immune response are B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. While both B lymphocytes and cytotoxic T lymphocytes play critical roles in this sophisticated immune system, the focus here is on cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which are specifically responsible for identifying and destroying infected or malignant cells.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes, or CD8+ T cells, recognize antigens presented by infected or cancerous cells through major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Upon activation, these cells proliferate and differentiate into effector T cells, which directly kill infected cells, highlighting their essential role in the adaptive response.

B lymphocytes, on the other hand, are also hallmarks of the adaptive immune system as they produce antibodies against specific pathogens. While both B cells and T cells are integral to adaptive immunity, if cytotoxic T lymphocytes are the focus of the question, their unique function in directly eliminating compromised cells underscores their importance in the adaptive immune response.

In contrast, monocytes are primarily part of the innate immune response and can differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells, while erythrocytes (red blood cells) are not immune cells but are responsible for oxygen transport in the bloodstream.