Specifically, the immune cells responsible for this are:
* T lymphocytes (T cells): These cells recognize specific antigens (molecules on the surface of pathogens) and can directly kill infected cells or stimulate other immune cells.
* B lymphocytes (B cells): These cells produce antibodies, which bind to specific antigens and neutralize pathogens.
* Antigen-presenting cells (APCs): These cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, engulf pathogens and present fragments of their antigens to T cells, triggering an immune response.
These cells work together to identify and eliminate pathogens, distinguishing them from the body's own cells.
