4.1.8 B Lymphocyte Response

Question 1

How do B Lymphocytes mature?

Answer 1

• Remain in bone marrow then spread to lymph nodes and spleen
• Gain B cell receptors which are ANTIBODIES
• Can have clones with same antibodies

Question 2

How do B cells react to infection?

Answer 2

• Complementary antibodies on B cells bind to specific antigens on APCs (clonal selection)
• APCs could be phagocytes, infected cells or pathogens themselves
• This, as well as interleukins released by T helper cells, activate B cells
• Clonal expansion of these specific B cells occur by mitosis producing clones
• Some of these B lymphocytes differentiate into PLASMA CELLS
• Secrete lots of antibodies into blood
• Other B lymphocytes become memory cells