Washington Master Esthetics Practice Exam

What type of cell forms the basis of the humoral immune system?

1. T cell

2. B cell

3. Macrophage

4. Neutrophil

The correct answer is: B cell

The humoral immune system is fundamentally based on the function of B cells. These cells are a type of white blood cell that plays a critical role in producing antibodies, which are proteins specifically designed to bind to foreign antigens (such as pathogens) and help neutralize or eliminate them from the body. When B cells encounter an antigen, they undergo a process of activation and differentiation into plasma cells. These plasma cells then secrete large quantities of antibodies into the bloodstream. This antibody production is crucial for the humoral response, as it enables the immune system to target and diminish infections effectively outside of cells. In contrast, T cells, while also vital in the immune response, primarily function in the cell-mediated immune response rather than directly producing antibodies. Macrophages and neutrophils, although they play key roles in the immune defense and inflammation, are more involved in the phagocytic processes and do not specifically produce antibodies like B cells do. Therefore, B cells are essential to the humoral immune system, highlighting their importance in adaptive immunity and in the body’s ability to remember pathogens for faster responses in future encounters.