Which of the following is a distinct characteristic of T lymphocytes?

T lymphocytes, often referred to as T cells, play a critical role in the immune system, particularly in the adaptive immune response. One of their hallmark functions is the ability to directly kill infected or cancerous cells. This ability is primarily exhibited by a subset of T cells known as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), or CD8+ T cells. These cells recognize and bind to specific antigens presented by infected cells or transformed (cancerous) cells, leading to the destruction of those cells through various mechanisms, including the release of perforin and granzymes.

In contrast, while other types of immune cells play essential roles, such as B lymphocytes producing antibodies in response to antigens, this is not a function of T cells. Moreover, although T cells are derived from bone marrow, they mature in the thymus, which further distinguishes them from hematopoietic cells that remain in the bone marrow for their entire development. Additionally, while T cells can generate cytokines, which are crucial for signaling between cells in the immune system, this is a broader characteristic that does not uniquely identify T cells as distinct from other immune cell types, such as helper T cells (CD4+ T cells).

Thus, the ability of