B cell

A B cell is a lymphocyte that recognizes specific antigens and can develop into antibody-secreting plasma cells or long-lived memory cells.

B-cell receptor: A membrane-bound immunoglobulin complex that lets a B cell recognize a specific antigen. Its antigen binding starts B-cell activation and selects cells for a matching immune response.
Antigen: A molecule or molecular structure specifically recognized by an antibody or immune receptor. B-cell receptors bind antigens, initiating the specificity of a B-cell response.
Humoral immunity: The branch of adaptive immunity mediated chiefly by antibodies in body fluids. B cells and their antibodies form the central machinery of this immune response.
T cell: A lymphocyte that recognizes peptide antigens through a T-cell receptor and coordinates or carries out cellular immune responses. Unlike B cells, T cells generally recognize processed peptides and do not secrete antibodies.
B-cell activation: The process by which antigen recognition and additional signals drive a B cell to proliferate and differentiate. Activation turns antigen recognition into an expanding, specialized response.
Antibody: A protein made by B cells that binds a specific antigen and can help neutralize or eliminate it. Antibodies are the secreted form of the recognition system displayed by B-cell receptors.
Vaccination: The administration of a vaccine to induce protective immune memory against a pathogen or disease. Vaccines can elicit B-cell memory and antibodies against selected antigens.
Natural killer cell: An innate lymphocyte that can kill infected or malignant cells without antigen-specific receptor rearrangement. Its rapid, broadly triggered activity contrasts with B-cell antigen specificity and antibody production.
T follicular helper cell: A CD4 T cell that helps B cells mature and produce high-affinity antibodies. Its signals support B-cell proliferation, class switching, and affinity maturation.
Lymphocyte: A white blood cell involved in adaptive immunity or natural killer cell activity. B cells are one major lymphocyte lineage, alongside T cells.

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