Function of B Lymphocytes

B lymphocytes- B derived from immunological research performed in chickens. Chickens have an organ called the Bursa of Fabricius that process B lymphocytes. Since mammals do not have a bursa, the B is often translated as the bursa equivalent for humans and other mammals. It currently believed that the B lymphocytes in mammals are processed in the bone marrow, which conveniently also begins with the letter B.

Secretes antibodies that can bind to antigens in a specific fashion Serve as ancestors of antibody-secreting plasma cells Exposure of a B lymphocyte to the antigen results in cell growth followed by many divisions. Some progeny become memory cells; these are visually indistinguishable from the original cell and are important in active immunity. Others are transformed into plasma cells. Plasma cells are protein factories that produce about 2,000 antibody proteins per second.

The specific bonding of antibodies to antigens serves to identify the enemy and to activate defense mechanisms that lead to the invaders destruction.

Antibodies Proteins of the family called immunoglobulins. Has two antigen-binding sites- one at the top of each pair of variable regionsand two complement-binding sites Function of antibody molecule- produces antibody-mediated immunity (humoral immunity). The five classes of antibodies- immunoglobulins M,G,A,E and D- the antibody that immature B cells synthesize and insert into their plasma membranes Antigen-Antibody Reactions

Antibodies fight disease first by recognizing substances that are foreign or abnormal.

Distinguish non self-antigens from self-antigens recognition occurs when an antigens epitopes fit into and bind to an antibody molecules antigen-binding sites.

The binding of antigen to antibodies frequently produces effect- it alters the shape of the antibody molecule in a way that exposes its complement-binding sites