Human Bio Unit 1 - B cells Flashcards
Where are B cells produced?
Bone marrow
What are B cells?
A type of white blood cell
How do B cells respond to antigens?
Macrophages engulf and “display” the antigen
When a B cell with the right shape antibody passes it the antibody fits together with the antigen
That particular B cells divides to make copies of itself
What is the process where B cells divide called?
Clonal selection
Types of B cells
Plasma
Memory
How do plasma cells fight against antigens?
Rapidly produce large amounts of specific antibody
Releases antibodies into blood to bind to antigens
Memory cells
Remain in the blood for a long time
Carry immunological memory
Immunological memory
B cells recognise a antigen
B cells quickly produce specific antibodies used last to fight antigen
Humoral immunity
So called because it involves antibodies, that are soluble in blood
(Another word for body fluids is humour)
What is our bodies primary immune response (immediate)
Plasma cells
What is our body’s secondary immune response (long term)?
Memory cells
Plasma Cells
Only survive for a few days
Can produce around 2000 antibodies in a few seconds
How do memory ells fight infection?
Encounter antigen they are specific to
Divide rapidly to make new memory and plasma cells
How long can memory cells last?
Decades
