Final answer:
Option (a), Memory B cells are a form of B cells that retain information about a pathogen for a more robust secondary immune response, whereas plasma B cells produce antibodies to fight the pathogen during the first immune response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the roles of different B cells in the immune response. Specifically, it deals with the differences between naïve B cells and memory B cells/plasma B cells. Naïve B cells are lymphocytes that have not yet encountered their specific antigen.
When these cells come into contact with an antigen, with help from helper T cells, they can differentiate into plasma B cells or memory B cells. Plasma B cells are responsible for producing antibodies during the initial immune response to help fight off the pathogen. Memory B cells, however, do not produce antibodies immediately but are retained in the body to provide a faster and more robust immune response upon subsequent exposures to the same pathogen.
When a naïve B cell is activated by an antigen, it can mature into a plasma cell that secretes antibodies, which are crucial for the humoral immune response. The key function of memory B cells is to retain the information about the pathogen so that the body can mount a stronger response faster during the next encounter with the same pathogen.