B Lymphocytes Flashcards
What do B lymphocytes do
Produce antibodies
Where do antibodies circulate
In the blood and lymph fluid
Where are B lymphocytes made and matured
Made in the bone marrow
Matured in the spleen
What type of immunity do B lymphocytes have? What does this do?
Humoral immunity
They detect antibodies and antigens in the blood and tissue fluids
What does humoral refer to
Body fluids
What do B cells differ in
Antigen specificity
Describe the role of B lymphocytes in a specific immune response
A B cell antigen receptor fits to the complementary antigen
This is then stimulated by helper T cells
The antigen divides rapidly by mitosis to form many clones
The clones then differentiate into B plasma and B memory cells
What do B plasma cells do
Secrete large amounts of monoclonal antibody which is specific to the antigen
What do B memory cells do
Remain in the blood ready for secondary immune response
They have receptors specific to the antigen so will divide rapidly if encountered again
Are B plasma cells long or short lived
Short lived
Are B memory cells long or short lived
Long lived
