6.2.6 - B Cell Response

Question 1

What Are B Cells?

Answer 1

Are a second type of white blood cell in the specific immune response.

Question 2

Where Do B Cells Mature?

Answer 2

Bone marrow.

Question 3

What Do B Cells Have?
(3 Points)

Answer 3

~ Specific receptors on their cell surface membrane.
~ The receptors are antibodies and are known as antibody receptors.
~ Each B cell has a different type of antibody receptor.

Question 4

Describe The Steps Of The B Cell Response
(4 Points)

Answer 4

1) If the corresponding antigen enters the body, B cells with the correct cell surface antibodies will be able to recognise it and bind to it forming an antigen-antibody complex.

2) The binding of the B cell to its specific antigen, along with cell signalling molecules produced by T helper cells, activate the B cell.

3) Once activated the B cells divide repeatedly by mitosis, producing many clones of the original activated B cell.

4) Some of the daughter cells differentiate into 2 main types of cells, effector and memory.

Question 5

What Do Effector Cells Form?

Answer 5

Plasma cells.

Question 6

What Do Plasma Cells Do?

Answer 6

Produce specific antibodies to combat non-self antigens.

Question 7

What Do Memory Cells Do?

Answer 7

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