Question 24

Plasma cells secrete antibodies.

Plasma cells are specialized white blood cells that are derived from B lymphocytes and are responsible for the production and secretion of antibodies in response to antigens.

A) bacterial cell

Bacterial cells do not secrete antibodies; instead, they are microorganisms that can trigger an immune response in the host. Their primary function is to reproduce and survive, not to produce antibodies.

B) viral cell

Viral cells, or viruses, do not produce antibodies as they are not living organisms and cannot replicate on their own. Their role is to invade host cells and hijack the host's cellular machinery to replicate their genetic material.

C) lymph cell

While lymph cells, or lymphocytes, are involved in the immune response, they are a broader category that includes various types of cells, such as T cells and B cells. Only B lymphocytes differentiate into plasma cells that specifically produce antibodies.

D) plasma cells

Plasma cells are the correct answer, as they are the effector B cells that produce large quantities of antibodies. These antibodies are crucial for identifying and neutralizing pathogens, thus playing a key role in the adaptive immune response.

Conclusion

Plasma cells are the definitive source of antibody secretion within the immune system, distinguishing them from bacterial and viral cells, which do not have this function. While lymphocytes are involved in the immune response, it is the plasma cells that specifically produce antibodies, making option D the correct choice. All other options fail to accurately describe the cells responsible for antibody secretion.