Our immune system works wonders to keep us healthy. Many cells contribute to making a great immune system, and one of them includes B cells. Understanding how B cells work, and what function they serve in the immune system, can help us better understand how our bodies serve as a great defense against viruses!
First, what are B cells? B cells are white blood cells, called lymphocytes, that produce antibodies. These antibodies attach themselves outside of the cell and respond to antigens, which are markers that display harmful substances that are viruses. There are two types of B cells: plasma cells and memory cells.
Second, what do B cells do? As stated before, there are plasma cells and memory cells. Plasma cells are B cells that secrete antibodies to protect our bodies against viruses. Memory cells are B cells that serves as “memory” for our bodies since these cells are responsible for remembering certain antigens. This is so that when someone is infected with the same virus again, their body will produce a defense more quickly. When talking about antibodies, it is important to note that each antibody is specifically designed to fight against one specific antigen. In addition to defending our bodies against viruses, B cells also aid in overall regulation and maintenance of the immune system.
Finally, what can you do to increase the presence of these lovely B cells? There isn’t one specific way to do this, so the following methods are strategies to keep your immune system healthy, and to protect the B cells you already have! Some methods include maintaining a balanced diet, sleeping 7-8 hours each night, washing your hands thoroughly, etc.
Without B cells, our immune system would not be able to defend our bodies against harmful pathogens. Therefore, understanding the importance of B cells can help us appreciate all the things that our body does for us!
References:
Professional, Cleveland Clinic Medical. “B Cells.” Cleveland Clinic, 6 Aug. 2024,
Alberts, Bruce, et al. “B Cells and Antibodies.” Molecular Biology of the Cell - NCBI Bookshelf, 2002,
Althwaiqeb, Sarah A., and Bruno Bordoni. “Histology, B Cell Lymphocyte.” StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf, 29 May
2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560905/#:~:text=Generally%2C%20B%2Dcell%20is%20a,contributing%20to%20inflammatory%20pathways%20directly. | Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board