A cell infected by a virus is destroyed by
- A. helper T cells
- B. cytotoxic T cells
- C. plasma cells
- D. free antibody in the plasma
Explanation
Cytotoxic T cells recognise viral antigen displayed on the surface of an infected cell and release perforin, which punches holes in its membrane so that the cell dies before the virus finishes replicating. Antibody cannot reach a virus that is already inside a cell, which is exactly why this branch of immunity exists. Helper T cells coordinate the response but do not kill.