B cells and the humoral Immune response Flashcards
If a B cells becomes activated what can it produce?
produce a clone of cells when it encounters an antigen that matches its receptors, and binds to it
What do most B cells need?
T cells for activation
What does a help T cell do when it encounters a B cell that has already encountered and bound to an antigen
the helper T cell releases cytokines that activate the B cell, stimulating it to proliferate (divide and form a clone)
What do Some of the B cells differentiate into
plasma cells, which produce and secrete antibodies (immunoglobulins)
What do antibodies do?
travel through the body fluids to attack and destroy antigens; this is called the humoral immune response
What do other B cells become?
memory B cells; these remain dormant at the time, but respond to future encounters with the antigen
