What do Plasma B cells produce?

Plasma B cells are a crucial component of the immune response, particularly in the humoral immunity pathway. Their primary function is to produce antibodies, which are proteins that specifically target and bind to antigens—foreign substances such as pathogens (bacteria and viruses).

When B cells encounter their specific antigen, they can differentiate into plasma cells, which are specialized for the production of large quantities of antibodies. These antibodies help neutralize pathogens and mark them for destruction by other immune cells. This role is essential in providing the body with a way to recognize and eliminate invaders effectively.

In contrast, antigens are the substances that antibodies target, memory cells are long-lived cells formed from activated B cells that facilitate a quicker immune response upon subsequent exposure to the same antigen, and pathogens are the disease-causing organisms or agents. Plasma B cells themselves directly produce antibodies, making this response critical to understanding how the immune system functions.