B cell

B cell

n.

Any of the lymphocytes that mature in the bone marrow and, when stimulated by a particular antigen, differentiate into plasma cells. Also called B lymphocyte.

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[b(ursa-dependent) cell, after the bursa of Fabricius, a gland in birds where the cells mature and the first such tissue found in vertebrates.]

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B cell

Any of the lymphocytes that develop into plasma cells in the presence of a specific antigen. The plasma cells produce antibodies that attack or neutralize the antigen in what is called the humoral immune response. B cells mature in the bone marrow before being released into the blood. Also called B lymphocyte. Compare T cell.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

B cell - a lymphocyte derived from bone marrow that provides humoral immunity; it recognizes free antigen molecules in solution and matures into plasma cells that secrete immunoglobulin (antibodies) that inactivate the antigens B lymphocyte lymph cell, lymphocyte - an agranulocytic leukocyte that normally makes up a quarter of the white blood cell count but increases in the presence of infection