B cell: A type of white blood cell and, specifically, a type of lymphocyte.
Many B cells mature into what are called plasma cells that produce antibodies (proteins) necessary to fight off infections while other B cells mature into memory B cells.
All of the plasma cells descended from a single B cell produce the same antibody which is directed against the antigen that stimulated it to mature. The same principle holds with memory B cells. Thus, all of the plasma cells and memory cells "remember" the stimulus that led to their formation.
The maturation of B cells takes place in birds in an organ called the bursa of Fabricus. B cells in mammals mature largely in the bone marrow.
The B cell, or B lymphocyte, is thus an immunologically important cell. It is not thymus-dependent, has a short lifespan, and is responsible for the production of immunoglobulins. It expresses immunoglobulins on its surface.
Lymphocytes are one of the five kinds of white blood cells or leukocytes), circulating in the blood. Although mature lymphocytes all look pretty much alike, they are ...
B lymphocytes are the cells of the immune system that make antibodies to neutralize invading pathogens like viruses. They form memory cells that remember the same pathogen ...
B cell: A type of white blood cell and, specifically, a type of lymphocyte. Many B cells mature into what are called plasma cells that produce antibodies (proteins ...
Information and resources on B-Cell lymphomas including follicular lymphoma and burkitt's lymphoma
A brief explanation and fast facts about B-cells. ... What Are B-cells? By Carol Eustice, About.com Guide. Updated May 20, 2011