B cells that produce and release large amounts of antibody are called:
a. Memory cells
b. Basophils
c. Plasma cells
d. Killer cells
e. Neutrophils
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is c. Plasma cells.
Explanation:
B cells are a type of white blood cell that play a critical role in the immune system, particularly in the adaptive immune response. When a pathogen, such as a virus or bacteria, enters the body, it triggers an immune response. B cells are responsible for producing antibodies, which are proteins that specifically target and neutralize foreign invaders.
Plasma cells are specialized B cells that have differentiated and become activated after encountering an antigen (the foreign substance). These plasma cells are the ones that produce and secrete large amounts of antibodies into the bloodstream. Antibodies then bind to the pathogen, marking it for destruction or neutralization by other immune cells.
Here’s how the process works:
- Activation: When a B cell encounters an antigen that it recognizes, it binds to it with its surface-bound antibodies. This initiates the activation of the B cell, often with the help of helper T cells.
- Clonal expansion: Once activated, the B cell undergoes rapid division, producing a clone of identical B cells. Some of these B cells will differentiate into plasma cells.
- Antibody production: Plasma cells are the end stage of B cell differentiation. These cells are highly specialized for the production of antibodies. They have an extensive network of rough endoplasmic reticulum to facilitate the synthesis and secretion of large amounts of antibodies.
- Antibody action: The antibodies secreted by plasma cells travel through the bloodstream and bind to the pathogen, helping to neutralize it, activate the complement system, or mark it for destruction by other immune cells.
Other Options:
- a. Memory cells: These are B cells that remember the pathogen after an infection, allowing for a faster and more robust response if the pathogen invades again. They do not secrete large amounts of antibodies; instead, they stay in the body in a dormant state to recognize the pathogen in the future.
- b. Basophils: These are granulocytes involved in allergic reactions and inflammation, not in antibody production.
- d. Killer cells: These refer to cytotoxic T cells that destroy infected cells, but they do not produce antibodies.
- e. Neutrophils: These are another type of white blood cell that engage in phagocytosis to ingest and kill pathogens but are not involved in antibody production.
In summary, plasma cells are the specific B cells responsible for producing and secreting antibodies, making c. Plasma cells the correct answer.