B-cells

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

B-cells

B-cells (pronounced: /biː sɛlz/), also known as B lymphocytes, are a type of white blood cell that plays a significant role in the immune system by producing antibodies.

Etymology

The term "B-cell" comes from the organ where they were first discovered and where they mature in birds, the bursa of Fabricius. In mammals, including humans, B-cells mature in the bone marrow, which coincidentally also starts with a "B".

Function

B-cells are responsible for the production of antibodies in response to invading pathogens. These antibodies are specific to the antigen of the pathogen and help in its neutralization. B-cells also play a role in the activation of T-cells and in the formation of memory cells.

Types of B-cells

There are several types of B-cells, including:

  • Plasma cells: These are mature B-cells that produce antibodies.
  • Memory B-cells: These cells remember the same pathogen for faster antibody production in future infections.
  • Regulatory B-cells: These cells regulate immune responses and prevent autoimmunity.

Related Terms

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski