What role do T-cells play in the immune response?

T-cells are a crucial component of the adaptive immune response, primarily responsible for identifying and directly eliminating infected or cancerous cells. They are a type of lymphocyte that arises from the thymus and plays various roles in immune function, but one of their key functions is the recognition of antigens presented by infected cells via Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. Upon recognizing these antigens, T-cells can activate a cytotoxic response, leading to the apoptosis of the infected cell.

In the context of the immune response, T-cells are divided into different subsets, including cytotoxic T-cells (CD8+), which directly kill infected cells, and helper T-cells (CD4+), which assist in orchestrating the immune response by helping activate B-cells and other immune cells. This targeted approach to dealing with infected or abnormal cells is essential for controlling infections and preventing the spread of disease.

The other options describe functions that are not related to T-cell activity. Antibody production is primarily the function of B-cells, digestion is a physiological process carried out in the digestive system, and oxygen transport is the role of red blood cells within the circulatory system. Thus, T-cells' specific role in recognizing