B cells (abbreviated "B" for the
bursa of Fabricius[?], an organ uniqe to birds where B
cells mature; the "B" does not stand for bone marrow, where they are created in all other vertebrates) are
lymphocytes[?] that play a large role in the
primary immune response[?].
There are two types of B cells:
- Plasma B cells secrete antibodies which effect the destruction of antigens by binding to them and making them easier targets for phagocytes[?].
- Memory B cells are formed specific to the antigen(s) encountered during the primary immune response; able to live for a long time, these cells can respond quickly upon second exposure to the antigen for which they are specific.
Humoral immunity[?] (the creation of antibodies that circulate in blood plasma and lymph[?]) involves B cell activation[?].