B Cells and Immune System

Questions and Answers

Where do B cells come from in the human body?

Lymph nodes

Bone marrow (correct)

Spleen

Thymus

What is unique about the daughter cells of B cells in the bone marrow?

Each daughter cell has a different receptor (correct)

They are identical to their parent cells

They die immediately after formation

They have the same receptor as their parent cells

What is the function of the receptor on B cells?

To divide rapidly

To identify specific pathogens (correct)

To mature into T cells

To eliminate all bacteria

What is the thymus responsible for in the human body?

Maturing T cells Signup and view all the answers

Why is the receptor on each B cell unique?

Because of a shuffling of DNA during B cell formation Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the unique receptor on each B cell?

Each B cell can only recognize one specific pathogen Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of the thymus in the human body?

Behind the sternum Signup and view all the answers

What is similar between the development of B cells and T cells?

They both undergo a unique process of receptor generation Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the selected B and T cells after they are alerted to the infection?

They replicate rapidly to produce an army of cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of memory cells?

To wait until the next time the pathogen comes around. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the receptors of the descendants of the selected B and T cells?

They remain the same to bind to the same pathogen. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the theory that describes this process of selecting and replicating B and T cells?

Clonal selection. Signup and view all the answers

Where do the B and T cells meet the bacteria that are infecting the skin?

In the lymph node. Signup and view all the answers

What do the B cells do to attack the bacterium?

They produce antibodies. Signup and view all the answers

What is unique to each T cell?

A unique receptor that identifies a specific pathogen Signup and view all the answers

Where do B cells and T cells migrate to after they are ready?

Lymph nodes Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the clonal selection process?

An army of B and T cells ready to fight the infection. Signup and view all the answers

Why do we create memory cells?

To prevent future infections. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of dendritic cells?

To present antigens to B and T cells Signup and view all the answers

Why do T cells need antigen-presenting cells to recognize pathogens?

Because T cells are unable to recognize pathogens on their own Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the receptors on B cells and T cells?

To recognize and bind to specific pathogens Signup and view all the answers

Where do B cells and T cells recognize and react to pathogens?

In the lymph nodes Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the interaction between an antigen-presenting cell and a T cell?

The T cell is activated and bind to the pathogen Signup and view all the answers

Why are B cells and T cells created randomly?

So they can recognize a wide range of pathogens Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of MHC proteins on dendritic cells?

To present antigens to B and T cells Signup and view all the answers

How do B cells recognize pathogens?

Directly, without the help of antigen-presenting cells Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Development of B and T Cells

B cells originate from the bone marrow, where they undergo a unique process of development, resulting in genetically different daughter cells with unique receptors.
Each B cell receptor is specific to a particular pathogen, making it useless against other pathogens.
A similar process occurs in the thymus for T cells, where they develop unique receptors that identify specific pathogens.

Maturation and Migration

Once developed, B and T cells migrate to lymph nodes, where they wait for their specific pathogen to appear.
Lymph nodes are located throughout the body, with around 600 in total.
B and T cells lie in wait, each with their unique receptors, ready to react to their specific pathogen.

Infection and Activation

When a tissue becomes infected, dendritic cells ingest bacteria and present pieces of them to B and T cells in the lymph node.
The specific B and T cells that recognize the pathogen are alerted and bind to the presented antigen.
These cells then activate, replicating rapidly to produce an army of cells with the same receptor.

Clonal Selection

The process of selecting and replicating specific B and T cells is called clonal selection.
Activated B cells produce antibodies to attack the pathogen, while T cells travel to the site of infection to join the battle.
Some activated cells become memory cells, waiting for the next time the pathogen appears, while others become effector cells, ready to fight the infection immediately.

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Description

Learn about the origin of B cells in the bone marrow and their role in fighting infections. This overview covers the unique process of B cell preparation in the human body.