Clonal Selection Of B Cells Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Clonal Selection Of B Cells?

The clonal selection of B cells is a process within the adaptive immune system that allows for the production of specific antibodies to fight invading foreign bodies. This process is responsible for generating long-term immunity against particular antigens. It begins when a B lymphocyte, a type of white blood cell, encounters an antigen and binds to it. This binding activates the B-cell and causes it to proliferate into many daughter cells called clones, each containing one specific antigen receptor. These clones are then tested against other foreign molecules in order to pick out only those that respond to the original antigen – these are known as ‘specific’ or ‘high affinity’ receptors. The surviving clones eventually produce large amounts of antibodies that can bind specifically to the original antigen and destroy it, allowing the immune system to defend against it in future encounters.The clonal selection of B cells has been found in many organisms from mammals through insects and even some plants. It is believed that this process evolved at least 600 million years ago – before vertebrates were even present on Earth – making it one of the oldest known cellular processes still in use today. Furthermore, understanding how this process works has helped scientists develop treatments for autoimmune diseases like lupus, which occur when an organism’s own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues instead of pathogens or cancerous cells. Overall, clonal selection of B cells is an essential part of our adaptive immune system, allowing us to develop immunity against particular antigens and protect our bodies from harm over time. Its ancient origins have enabled researchers to understand how autoimmune diseases arise while also providing potential treatments for them too.