As a person ages, his or her thymus shrinks. How does this change affect the effectiveness of vaccinations?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The thymus is responsible for T cell maturation, which is key to the development of an effective immune response. As the thymus shrinks with age, the rate of T cell maturation is reduced, which can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of vaccinations. B cells are responsible for antibody production, which can still occur even as thymus size decreases. Therefore, option C is incorrect. Option A is also incorrect as the immune system doesn't shut down completely with thymus shrinkage. Option B is a common misconception, but it is not accurate as the thymus continues to make T cells throughout life, so the initial amount at birth is not sufficient for an entire lifespan. Option E is also incorrect because while both the thymus and the bone marrow play a role in T cell development, the thymus is specifically responsible for the maturation of certain types of T cells.

As a Person Ages, His or Her Thymus Shrinks