HIV Weakens Immunity by Depleting Lymphocytes

Steps:

• HIV primarily infects and destroys CD4+ T lymphocytes, key immune cells.
• This depletion reduces the overall number of lymphocytes.
• Fewer helper T cells impair coordination of immune responses, weakening the system.
• Antibody production decreases due to lack of T cell support for B cells.

Why A is correct:

• HIV targets CD4+ T cells, causing their progressive destruction, which directly weakens the immune system and reduces antibody production as per immunological definitions of AIDS progression.

Why the others are wrong:

• B: HIV does not strengthen the immune system; it weakens it.
• C: Immune system weakens, not strengthens, despite the repeated phrasing.
• D: HIV weakens immunity and decreases, not increases, antibody production.

Final answer: A