Final answer:
No, plasma cells normally do not circulate in peripheral blood; they reside in the bone marrow, where they produce antibodies. Only antibodies and memory B cells, derived from plasma cells, are involved in immune circulation and response.
Step-by-step explanation:
Do Plasma Cells Circulate in Peripheral Blood?
No, plasma cells do not normally circulate in peripheral blood. Plasma cells are activated B cells that secrete antibodies. These cells typically reside in the bone marrow after they have differentiated from B cells and do not circulate widely in the blood. In the process of forming an immune response, plasma cells produce antibodies in response to specific antigens, which then circulate throughout the body to target pathogens. Moreover, while most plasma cells have a short life span, memory B cells, which emerge from plasma cells, can survive for the lifetime of an individual and retain the 'memory' of a pathogen for quicker response upon future encounters. This is an essential aspect of long-term immunity.