In adaptive immunity, which cells directly destroy virally infected cells? A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 19 - 2019 - Paper 1

In adaptive immunity, T cytotoxic cells, also known as CD8+ T cells, play a crucial role in directly destroying virally infected cells. They recognize infected cells through the presentation of viral antigens on Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules. Once bound to these antigens, T cytotoxic cells can release perforin and granzymes, leading to the apoptosis of the infected cells.

B cells and plasma cells mainly function in antibody production and do not directly destroy infected cells, while T helper cells support the immune response but do not engage in the direct killing of infected cells.