Anatomy and Physiology II Practice Test

Which type of cell is primarily responsible for antibody production?

1. B-cells

2. T-cells

3. Macrophages

4. Monocytes

The correct answer is: B-cells

The primary cells responsible for antibody production are B-cells, which are a type of lymphocyte. When B-cells encounter an antigen, they become activated and differentiate into plasma cells. These plasma cells are the effective factories that produce large quantities of antibodies specific to that antigen. Antibodies are crucial components of the immune system, as they bind to pathogens, marking them for destruction or neutralization. In contrast, T-cells have different roles in the immune response. They are primarily involved in cell-mediated immunity, where they help regulate immune responses and directly kill infected cells, but they do not produce antibodies. Macrophages and monocytes also play important roles in the immune system, primarily in phagocytosis and antigen presentation to T-cells, but they do not produce the antibodies that are crucial for the humoral immune response. Therefore, the correct identification of B-cells as the primary antibody producers highlights their essential function in adaptive immunity.