Final answer:
An immune response in which B cells turn into plasma cells and secrete antibodies is known as humoral immunity. This type of immunity is centered around B cells and the production of antibodies that combat extracellular pathogens, contrasting with cell-mediated immunity which involves T cells targeting infected cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Humoral Immune Response:
An immune response in which B cells transform into plasma cells and secrete antibodies is known as humoral immunity. In this process, the B cells, which mature in the bone marrow, differentiate into plasma cells. These plasma cells then produce antibodies or immunoglobulins, which are essential in the body's defense against extracellular pathogens and toxins. The humoral immune response is also the system that includes memory cells, capable of remembering and responding more quickly to pathogens that the body has previously encountered.
Cell-Mediated Immune Response:
On the other hand, the cell-mediated immune response involves mainly T cells. Unlike the humoral response, cell-mediated immunity is responsible for the destruction of cells infected with viruses and some cancer cells. T cells are essential for targeting and destroying intracellular pathogens, which is a different mechanism compared to the antibody production by B cells.