Final answer:
Antibodies produced by B cells bind to extracellular pathogens, blocking their ability to infect cells, and signal for phagocytes to destroy the pathogens before they can cause infection. B cells help prevent the spread of infectious diseases by producing antibodies that neutralize pathogens and support the immune system.
Step-by-step explanation:
In general, antibodies produced by B cells bind to pathogens outside the cells and limit the number of cells that become infected. B cells are a vital part of the immune system and engage in a defense mechanism primarily through the production of antibodies.
An antibody is a large, Y-shaped protein that can bind specifically to an antigen, which is a molecule recognized as foreign and typically found on the surfaces of pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
Once an antibody binds to an antigen, it can neutralize the pathogen by blocking its ability to infect host cells.
This is because the binding of antibodies can interfere with the pathogen’s capacity to dock on host cells, effectively preventing them from establishing an infection.
Moreover, antibody-bound pathogens can be marked for destruction by phagocytes, eliminating the threat before it can cause harm.
Activated B cells can differentiate into plasma cells, which secrete the antibodies into the bloodstream and lymphatic system to protect the body against these pathogens.
By intervening this way, B cells help maintain the body's health by capturing and flagging pathogens, thereby supporting the immune system to fight off infections and diseases.