Which cells play a key role in antibody production?

B cells, or B lymphocytes, are crucial for the production of antibodies, which are proteins that specifically recognize and bind to antigens (foreign substances that provoke an immune response). When B cells encounter an antigen, they undergo a process of activation and differentiation into plasma cells. These plasma cells are the effector form of B cells that are responsible for synthesizing and secreting large amounts of antibodies into the bloodstream.

Antibodies produced by B cells play a fundamental role in the immune response, helping to neutralize pathogens, mark them for destruction by other immune cells, or prevent them from affecting host cells. The specific ability of B cells to produce a unique antibody for each pathogen is a cornerstone of the immune system's adaptability and memory.

In contrast, while T cells do play essential roles in the immune response, particularly in cellular immunity and helping B cells activate, they do not directly produce antibodies themselves. Macrophages are important in phagocytizing pathogens and presenting antigens, but they do not produce antibodies. Natural killer cells are involved in the defense against tumors and virally infected cells but, like T cells, do not play a direct role in antibody production. Thus, the primary function of producing antibodies is distinctively attributed to