Antibodies are produced by?

Appeared in: DSSSB Public Health Nurse - 2015

Explanation

Plasma cells are the cells responsible for producing antibodies, which are the key molecules of humoral immunity.
They are terminally differentiated B lymphocytes, meaning they develop from B cells after activation by an antigen.
A single plasma cell is a biological 'factory' capable of secreting thousands of antibody molecules per second to fight infection.

Option B: Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, are primarily involved in oxygen transport. They lack a nucleus and the necessary organelles (like endoplasmic reticulum) to synthesize proteins such as antibodies.
Option C: Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that functions as a phagocyte, engulfing pathogens. They can act as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to activate T-cells, but they do not produce antibodies themselves.
Option D: Basophils are involved in allergic and inflammatory reactions. They release histamine and other mediators but are not involved in antibody production.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Cellular origin of antibody production as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding that plasma cells produce antibodies is fundamental to comprehending how vaccines work. Vaccines introduce antigens to the body to stimulate B-cells to differentiate into plasma cells and memory cells, providing long-term immunity.
Disorders of plasma cells, such as Multiple Myeloma, involve the malignant proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells, leading to the overproduction of a non-functional monoclonal antibody and subsequent immune system compromise.
What if a patient has a genetic disorder preventing B-cell differentiation into plasma cells? The patient would suffer from a severe immunodeficiency (agammaglobulinemia), characterized by recurrent bacterial infections due to the inability to produce antibodies.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core concept of the question, which is the source of antibody production.
Recall the primary functions of the different types of blood cells listed in the options.
Evaluate each option: Erythrocytes are for oxygen transport, Monocytes for phagocytosis, and Basophils for allergic reactions.
Recognize that Plasma cells are specialized B-lymphocytes whose sole major function is to produce and secrete antibodies.
Select 'Plasma cells' as the correct answer based on this specific function.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 202-204

E6 Pathology-Textbook of PATHOLOGYHarsh Mohan Part 1 (1-214) p. 105-107

E6 Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry2023 (pp 26-793 of 813) p. 654-656

Practise the full DSSSB Public Health Nurse - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.