Final answer:
Clonal selection guides the proliferation of specific B cells by binding to antigens, leading to B cell differentiation into plasma cells that produce IgM pentamers and other antibodies. Antigen specificity drives this process, ensuring an effective immune response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of clonal selection in B cells is crucial for the adaptive immune response. IgM receptors on B-cells bind to antigens, internalize them, and present processed antigens with MHC-II on their surface. T-helper cells recognize this complex and provide signals that induce B cell differentiation into antibody-secreting plasma cells. The transposition rearranges DNA to produce a specific immunoglobulin or antibody that is complementary to the antigen. This results in the antibody precisely targeting and neutralizing the pathogen.
Prior to secretion, plasma cells assemble IgM molecules into pentamers, with each pentameric IgM capable of binding up to ten identical antigens, albeit less stably compared to IgG antibodies. Clonal selection ensures that only those B cells with receptors specific to the presenting antigens proliferate and differentiate. This leads to the production of plasma cells and memory cells that are equipped to secrete IgM, and upon re-exposure to the antigen, other classes of antibodies like IgG.