B lymphocytes and the humoral response

• lrg no. of different types of B cells
• mostly - circulate body in blood or lymph 
• if encounters antigen that fits receptor = stimulated

1) clonal selection occurs

2) binding of antigen with B cell receptor stimulates it into action (t helper also involved)

3)after B cell activated --> divide repeatedly by mitosis, clone of cells carrying same receptor

4)2 types of daughter cells - plasma and memory cells

• plasma - filled w/lrg no. of ribosomes attached to ER, many mitochondria - provide ATP
• allow cell to make and secrete lrg. quantities of specific protein, called an antibody
• all antibody molecules produced from/by same genetically identical…