Antibodies themselves do not multiply. However, the cells that produce antibodies, specifically plasma B cells, can multiply rapidly in response to an antigen (like a virus or bacteria).
Here's a breakdown:
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What are Antibodies? Antibodies (also known as immunoglobulins) are proteins produced by specialized immune cells called plasma B cells. They recognize and bind to specific antigens, marking them for destruction or neutralizing their effects.
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Antibody Production Process: When the body encounters an antigen:
- B cells that recognize that antigen are activated.
- These activated B cells undergo clonal expansion, meaning they rapidly divide and multiply, creating a large population of cells all capable of producing the same antibody.
- Many of these B cells differentiate into plasma cells, which are dedicated antibody-producing factories.
- Plasma cells churn out large quantities of antibodies.
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Memory Cells: Some of the activated B cells become memory cells. These long-lived cells remain in the body after the infection is cleared. If the same antigen is encountered again, these memory cells quickly activate and differentiate into plasma cells, leading to a faster and stronger antibody response than the first time. This explains why we often develop immunity to diseases after having them once or being vaccinated. The reference provided states that these memory T and B cells "rapidly multiply" when exposed to the same virus.
Therefore, while antibodies are not self-replicating, the plasma B cells that create them multiply, allowing for a robust and sustained antibody response.
