B cell

noun

a lymphocyte derived from bone marrow that provides humoral immunity; it recognizes free antigen molecules in solution and matures into plasma cells that secrete immunoglobulin (antibodies) that inactivate the antigens

• Syn: ↑B lymphocyte

• Hypernyms: ↑lymphocyte, ↑lymph cell

* * *

noun

Usage: usually capitalized B

Etymology: B probably from bursa-derived (produced by the bursa of Fabricius)

: any of the lymphocytes that have antigen-binding antibody molecules on the surface and that comprise the antibody-secreting plasma cells when mature — called also B lymphocyte — compare t cell herein

* * *

Biol.

1. Also called B lymphocyte. a type of lymphocyte, developed in bone marrow, that circulates in the blood and lymph and, upon encountering a particular foreign antigen, differentiates into a clone of plasma cells that secrete a specific antibody and a clone of memory cells that make the antibody on subsequent encounters.

2. Also called beta cell. a cell in the islet of Langerhans that produces and secretes insulin.

[1970-75; (def. 1) perh. B(one-derived); (def. 2) B(ursa of Langerhans-derived)]

* * *

B lymphocyte or B cell noun

A type of lymphocyte or cell, originating (in mammals) in the bone marrow, which manufactures antibodies, present on the cell surface, in response to stimulation by an antigen

• • •

Main Entry: ↑B

* * *

B cell, or B-cell «BEE _SEHL», noun.

a type of lymphocyte that produces antibodies, characterized by many fingerlike protrusions on its surface: »

Both the B-cells and T-cells recirculate through the body and continually monitor for the presence of potential attackers (Time).

╂[< B(ursa of Fabricius, organ in chickens where the cell was first found)]

* * *

(also B-cell) n. Physiology a lymphocyte not processed by the thymus gland, and responsible for producing antibodies. Also called . Compare with T cell

Origin:

B for bursa, referring to the organ in birds where it was first identified