B Cell

B cells are lymphocytes that form part of the humoral immunity branch of the adaptive immune system. They work by producing the necessary antibodies and presenting antigens to the T cells via immunoglobulin surface receptors. B cells are produced from the pluripotent precursor cells found in the bone marrow.

B cells are a lymphocyte are a specialist lymphocyte that can perform two roles in regards to humoral immunity. Typically they are produced in the bone marrow hence the name "B-cell". Our bodies have a large variety of B cells due to the random rearrangement of antibodies in the B cell during maturation. Different arrangements result in different B cell expressions. Once B cells mature they are released from bone marrow into the lymphatic system. Some B cells can specialise as antibody-producing plasma cells.

Plasma cells produce antibodies which can bind to antigens presented on the surface of a pathogen creating holes in the in the cell wall of the pathogen causing the cells to die. The other specialism is memory cells that contain the antigens of the previous infection; thus if there is a secondary infection and the pathogen presents the same antigens the memory cells have allowed the body to create and store antibodies that are complementary to the specific antigen, therefore, the immune response this time is much faster.