Final answer:
The most accurate statement about memory B cells is that they can last up to 20 years in lymphoid tissues, enabling them to provide a rapid and strong immune response upon reexposure to the same pathogen. The correct option is c.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement regarding memory B cells that is most accurate is: they can last up to 20 years in lymphoid tissues. Memory B cells are a critical component of the adaptive immune system. After an infection, most B and T cells die, but a few memory cells survive for extended periods.
These cells can survive for many years and are responsible for a stronger and faster secondary immune response if the same pathogen invades the body again. This forms the basis of immunity.
Memory B cells are derived from the clonal expansion of an activated B cell. Unlike plasma B cells, which are short-lived and secrete antibodies during the primary response to an infection, memory B cells do not continuously secrete antibodies.
They retain information about a specific pathogen and upon reexposure, differentiate into plasma cells more rapidly than during the first encounter, producing a significantly larger amount of antibodies in the process. This enables a quick and effective defense, often neutralizing the pathogen before it can cause noticeable illness. The correct option is c.