1. A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies and plays a crucial role in the adaptive immune response
B cells recognize antigens and differentiate into plasma cells to produce antibodies against pathogens.
As células B reconhecem antígenos e se diferenciam em células plasmáticas para produzir anticorpos contra patógenos.
2. Lymphocytes derived from bone marrow that are responsible for humoral immunity
When a B cell encounters an antigen, it can become activated and transform into a memory B cell or plasma cell.
Quando uma célula B encontra um antígeno, ela pode ser ativada e se transformar em uma célula B de memória ou célula plasmática.
B cells are a fundamental concept in immunology taught in medical schools in both Brazil and the USA. The term 'células B' is universally used in Portuguese-speaking medical communities without regional variation. This scientific terminology is identical across English-speaking countries and reflects the international nature of medical education.