Chapter 19, Problem 17CP

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The type of the cell produced in the elevated numbers in a person who is producing large amounts of circulating antibodies to combat a virus.

Introduction:

The large amount of the circulating antibodies in the blood after the infection with the virus is due to the secretion of the antibodies from the activated B cells. The antibodies are secreted from the plasma B cells, which bind to the foreign antigens in the blood and prevent the spread of infection in the body. This reduces the infection and inflammation at the site of the injury.