B cell response

• B cells


  Also known as B lymphocytes, a second type of white blood cell in the specific immune response
• B cells - production and maturation 


  • Remain in the bone marrow as they mature
  • Have many specific receptors on their cell surface membrane
• B cells


  A second type of white blood cell in the specific immune response
• B cells - receptors


  • Have many specific receptors on their cell surface membrane
  • The receptors are in fact antibodies, and are known as antibody receptors
  • Each B cell has a different type of antibody receptor, meaning that each B cell can bind to a different type of antigen
• Activation of B cells

  1. Binding of B cell to its specific antigen

  2. Cell signalling molecules produced by T helper cells activate the B cell
• Activated B cells


  Divide repeatedly by mitosis, producing many clones of the original activated B cell
• Daughter cells of activated B cells


  • Effector cells (plasma cells)
  • Memory cells
• Plasma cells


  Produce specific antibodies to combat non-self antigens
• Memory cells


  Remain in the blood to allow a faster immune response to the same pathogen in the future
• Primary immune response


  B cells divide by mitosis to form plasma cells and memory cells