Final answer:
While antigen binding to the B-cell receptor is necessary for B cell activation, complete activation and proliferation require additional signals from helper T cells, making the initial statement partially true.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the process of B cell proliferation in response to an antigen binding to a B cell receptor. When an antigen binds to a B-cell receptor on the surface of a B cell, the B cell requires two signals for full activation. Firstly, the B cell's surface immunoglobulin must recognize and bind to the native antigen. This antigen is then internalized, processed, and presented in the context of a class II MHC molecule. For a T cell-dependent antigen, this is not enough - the B cell also needs a second signal from a helper T cell (Th2 cell). The Th2 cell recognizes the antigen-presented MHC II complex, becomes activated, and secretes cytokines that lead to the full activation of the B cell. As a result, the B cell can proliferate and differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies specific to the antigen or become memory B cells. Therefore, while antigen binding to the B-cell receptor is the first critical step, additional signals, specifically from helper T cells, are necessary for B cell activation and subsequent proliferation. This makes the statement 'B cell proliferation occurs when an antigen binds to a B-cell receptor on the surface of a specific B-cell clone' only partially true, as additional interactions, particularly with helper T cells, are essential for the complete activation and proliferation process.