How do plasma cells contribute to the production of antibodies?

Plasma cells are the primary cells that produce and secrete antibodies as part of the immune response.

Plasma cells, also known as effector B cells, are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune system. They are derived from B cells, which are activated when they encounter an antigen - a foreign substance that triggers an immune response. Once a B cell is activated, it proliferates and differentiates into plasma cells.

The primary function of plasma cells is to produce antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins. These are Y-shaped proteins that are specifically designed to recognise and bind to specific antigens. Each plasma cell is capable of producing thousands of antibodies per second, which are then released into the bloodstream.

The antibodies produced by plasma cells have a unique ability to recognise and bind to the specific antigen that triggered the immune response. This is due to the variable region at the tips of the 'Y' of the antibody, which is different for each type of antibody and allows it to bind to a specific antigen. Once an antibody has bound to an antigen, it can neutralise the antigen directly, or it can recruit other cells and molecules of the immune system to destroy the antigen.

In addition to producing antibodies, plasma cells also play a role in immunological memory. Some of the plasma cells produced during an immune response become long-lived plasma cells, which can survive in the body for years or even a lifetime. These cells continue to produce antibodies specific to the antigen they encountered, providing long-term protection against that specific pathogen. This is the principle behind vaccination, where exposure to a harmless form of a pathogen triggers the production of plasma cells and antibodies that provide long-term immunity.

In summary, plasma cells are a vital part of the immune system, responsible for the production and secretion of antibodies that help to neutralise antigens and provide long-term immunity.