Question

Why do you think memory B cells are long lived?

• A. They have to remember the pathogen so if they die soon it will not be helpful
• B. They produce antibodies so they should be long lived
• C. They are not long lived, they circulate in the blood for longer distances
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A

They have to remember the pathogen so if they die soon it will not be helpful

Millions of antibodies are produced by the plasma B cells specific to the antigen. The antibodies bind the pathogen and enable its phagocytosis by the macrophages and other phagocytes. But the B cells also divide and produce another type of cells called memory B cells. Memory B cells keep circulating in the blood for longer time periods and also specialise in retaining the memory of a particular antigen. So, if the same antigen is encountered again, it is rapidly neutralised initiating an effective secondary response.