Question

Plasma cells produce a large amount of antibody specific to a particular antigen. What is the function of plasma cells?

1) To produce red blood cells
2) To produce white blood cells
3) To produce antibodies
4) To produce platelets

Answer 1

Plasma cells are specialized cells that produce antibodies to target specific antigens, playing a critical role in the body's humoral immune response against pathogens.

Step-by-step explanation:

Plasma cells function to produce antibodies that are specific to a particular antigen. They are essentially antibody factories, making numerous copies of a single antibody, which then circulate throughout the body in the blood and lymph. These antibodies bind to their specific antigens, forming antigen-antibody complexes and flagging the antigen for destruction by immune cells such as phagocytes. Plasma cells are crucial components of the humoral immune response, particularly against extracellular pathogens and toxins. After plasma cells generate antibodies, they are eventually replaced by memory B cells, which retain information about the pathogen for a more robust response upon subsequent exposure.

Plasma cells are activated B cells that function as antibody factories, producing a large amount of antibody specific to a particular antigen. Antibodies are large proteins that recognize and bind to antigens. They travel throughout the body in blood and lymph, binding to antigens and forming antigen-antibody complexes. These complexes help flag the antigen-bearing cells for destruction by phagocytosis.