Which cells in the immune system are primarily responsible for antibody production?

B lymphocytes, also known as B cells, play a crucial role in the adaptive immune response by being primarily responsible for antibody production. When B cells encounter a specific antigen, they become activated and differentiate into plasma cells. These plasma cells are the effector form of B cells and are specialized to produce large quantities of antibodies.

Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are proteins that specifically bind to antigens, marking them for destruction by other immune cells or neutralizing their harmful effects. This mechanism is vital for eliminating pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, and plays a key role in long-term immunity, as some B cells also develop into memory cells that provide quicker responses upon future exposures to the same antigen.

In contrast, T lymphocytes (or T cells) have different functions, primarily involved with cell-mediated immunity rather than antibody production. Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the innate immune system and are responsible for targeting and destroying infected or cancerous cells without the need for antibodies. Macrophages are phagocytic cells that engulf and digest pathogens and dead cells; while they do play a role in the immune response, they do not produce antibodies.

Thus, the unique role of B lymphocytes in antibody