| B cell | |
|---|---|
 The cells of the immune system form cells that remember the pathogen for future infections. | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | lymphocytus B |
| MeSH | D001402 |
| FMA | 62869 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
B cells are lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Once the B cell is activated, it turns into a plasma cell, and starts producing antibodies. They are a vital part of the adaptive immune system. They have a protein on the B cell's outer surface known as a 'B cell receptor'. This allows a B cell to bind to a specific antigen.
The main functions of B cells are:
- to make antibodies against antigens,
- to perform the role of antigen-presenting cells (APCs),
- to develop into memory B cells after activation by antigen interaction.
Recently, a new, suppressive function of B cells has been discovered.
In mammals, immature B cells are formed in the bone marrow, hence their name.