What is the primary role of B cells in the immune response?

The primary role of B cells in the immune response is to neutralize pathogens with antibodies. B cells, once activated by recognizing specific antigens, undergo differentiation into plasma cells, which are specialized cells that produce large quantities of antibodies. These antibodies bind to antigens on the surface of pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, marking them for destruction by other immune cells or neutralizing them directly by blocking their ability to infect cells. This antibody-mediated response is crucial for targeting extracellular pathogens and contributing to long-term immunity through the formation of memory B cells.

In contrast, while enhancing phagocyte activity, presenting antigens to T cells, and producing cytokines are important functions in the immune system, they do not primarily define the role of B cells. For example, phagocytes, such as macrophages and neutrophils, engage in their own immune responses independently of B cells and are more directly involved in cellular immunity. Antigen presentation is primarily the function of dendritic cells and macrophages, which activate T cells. Cytokine production is a role typically associated with various immune cells, including T cells and macrophages, although B cells can produce some cytokines as well. However, the hallmark function of B cells that distinguishes them in the immune response