Final answer:
In summary, the clonal expansion of antibodies involves the recognition of an epitope by a Th cell, stimulation of the B cell by cytokines leading to its division into plasma and memory cells, and the secretion of antibodies by plasma cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The clonal expansion of antibodies and the production of antibodies involve several steps:
Cytokines produced by the Th cell activate the B cell, which divides to give rise to two cell types: memory and plasma cells.
Plasma cells secrete antibodies that recognize the virus, acting as the body’s defense mechanism.
As a result of cytokines released by Th cells, B cells undergo clonal expansion and become either antibody-secreting plasma cells or memory B cells. The memory B cells are poised for a quicker response upon subsequent exposures, while plasma cells produce large quantities of antibodies specific to the pathogen.