Clonal selection is a fundamental mechanism in the immune response where a specific antigen selectively binds to and activates only those lymphocytes (B cells and T cells) bearing receptors specific for the antigen. As a result, these selected cells proliferate and differentiate into a clone of effector cells that target the antigen.
Topic 21.3: 21.3 The Adaptive Immune Response: T lymphocytes and Their Functional Types
Unit 21