What is the Difference Between Mature and Immature Lymphocytes?

Mature and immature lymphocytes are two types of lymphocytes based on their maturation. The main difference between them is their ability to fight against infections in the body:

• Mature lymphocytes have the ability to fight against infections. They are found in bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, bloodstream, tonsils, and spleen. Mature B cells, for example, express IgM and IgD antigen receptors.
• Immature lymphocytes lack the ability to fight against infections. They are predominantly found in the bone marrow and rarely in secondary lymphoid tissues. Immature B cells undergo selection for self-tolerance and subsequently for the ability to survive in the peripheral lymphoid tissues.

In terms of cellular features, the ratio of nucleus to membrane area is less than 1 for immature lymphocytes, and the nuclei can be recognized clearly from the images. Spatial light scattering patterns (LSP) can be used to distinguish mature from immature lymphocyte cells, as they provide rich information on the cell's morphology and contents.

Comparative Table: Mature vs Immature Lymphocytes

Mature and immature lymphocytes are two types of white blood cells that differ based on their maturation and ability to fight against infections. Here is a table summarizing the differences between mature and immature lymphocytes:

In summary, mature lymphocytes have the ability to fight against infections, while immature lymphocytes do not. Immature lymphocytes are derived from stem cells in the bone marrow and can differentiate into mature lymphocytes, which can be activated by antigen-presenting cells.