Alexandra’s Steam project focuses on the Thymus and the size and function of it throughout our lifespan. When we are younger, our Thymus is much bigger and gradually gets smaller over time as we age. We see this in Alexandra’s project as she made a real life model of the Thymus as it progresses into something much smaller over time. She exhibits how the Thymus is divided into lobules that are called trabeculae. The outer section being called the cortex. In Alexandra’s essay portion she tells us how the Thymus is responsible for maturing the white blood cell T-lymphocyte. Mature T-lymphocytes have special receptors that primarily focus on infections or cancerous cells. T-cells have a memory response to invasion of foreign and infectious antigens so that can fight it off. Throughout our lives, T-cells help maintain our immunity. These T cells start in the bone marrow and begin the maturing process in the thymus and are exposed to chemicals like chemokines, which help migrate the T cells throughout the different environments of the thymus. Because of these chemicals, the immature T cells are able to grow the receptors they need as well as molecules that allow them to bind together with these molecules and proceed to the medulla, where they will be exposed to antigens and bind to other molecules that later produce mature T-cells. Over time, as Alexandra has shown in her project, The thymus declines in size and so does the production of T-cells. Alexandra shows us through her project and essay, how important the thymus is, as it plays a major role in the development of T-Cells.
Posted by 
Alexandra’s Steam project focuses on the Thymus and the size and function of it throughout our lifespan. When we are younger, our Thymus is much bigger and gradually gets smaller over time as we age. We see this in Alexandra’s project as she made a real life model of the Thymus as it progresses into something much smaller over time. She exhibits how the Thymus is divided into lobules that are called trabeculae. The outer section being called the cortex. In Alexandra’s essay portion she tells us how the Thymus is responsible for maturing the white blood cell T-lymphocyte. Mature T-lymphocytes have special receptors that primarily focus on infections or cancerous cells. T-cells have a memory response to invasion of foreign and infectious antigens so that can fight it off. Throughout our lives, T-cells help maintain our immunity. These T cells start in the bone marrow and begin the maturing process in the thymus and are exposed to chemicals like chemokines, which help migrate the T cells throughout the different environments of the thymus. Because of these chemicals, the immature T cells are able to grow the receptors they need as well as molecules that allow them to bind together with these molecules and proceed to the medulla, where they will be exposed to antigens and bind to other molecules that later produce mature T-cells. Over time, as Alexandra has shown in her project, The thymus declines in size and so does the production of T-cells. Alexandra shows us through her project and essay, how important the thymus is, as it plays a major role in the development of T-Cells.