The B lymphocyte Response (AQA A Level Biology): Revision Note

The B lymphocyte (humoral) response

• Each mature B lymphocyte has a specific antibody on its surface (acts as a receptor)

• Clonal selection occurs when a B cell binds to a complementary antigen

• The activated B cell divides by mitosis (clonal expansion) into:

  • Plasma cells – secrete large amounts of antibodies

  • Memory cells – remain in circulation and provide a faster secondary response

• The immune response that involves B lymphocytes and the production of antibodies is called the humoral response

Primary immune response

• When an antigen enters the body for the first time, only a few B lymphocytes have receptors that match the antigen

• These specific B cells are activated and begin to divide by mitosis – this is called clonal selection

• The B cells multiply to produce many identical copies - this is called clonal expansion

  • Some become plasma cells that make and release lots of specific monoclonal antibodies into the blood and tissues

    • Plasma cells are short-lived, but the antibodies stay in the body for some time

  • Other B cells become memory cells which stay in the blood and provide long-term immunity

• This primary immune response is slow because it takes time to make enough antibodies