B cell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids B cell |
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| The cells of the immune system that make antibodies to invading pathogens such as viruses. They form memory cells that remember the same pathogen for faster antibody production in future infections. | |
| Latin | lymphocytus B |
| Code | TH H2.00.04.1.02005 TH H2.00.04.3.07002 |
B cells are lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Once the B cell is activated, it turns into a plasma cell, and starts producing antibodies. They are a vital part of the adaptive immune system. They have a protein on the B cell's outer surface known as a 'B cell receptor'. This allows a B cell to bind to a specific antigen.
The main functions of B cells are:
- to make antibodies against antigens,
- to perform the role of antigen-presenting cells (APCs),
- to develop into memory B cells after activation by antigen interaction.
Recently, a new, suppressive function of B cells has been discovered.
In mammals, immature B cells are formed in the bone marrow, hence their name.
Images for kids
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Basic B cell function: bind to an antigen, receive help from a cognate helper T cell, and differentiate into a plasma cell that secretes large amounts of antibodies
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Early B cell development: from stem cell to immature B cell
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Transitional B cell development: from immature B cell to MZ B cell or mature (FO) B cell
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B cell activation: from immature B cell to plasma cell or memory B cell
See also
In Spanish: Linfocito B para niños
