Which statement is true about antibody production in response to the same antigen?

Which statement is true about antibody production in response to the same antigen?

• A. Different types of immune system cells produce different antibodies.
• B. Antibodies are produced by all immune cells.
• C. Antibodies are not produced by immune cells.
• D. Antibodies are produced only by pathogens.

Answer: (A)

When the same antigen is encountered, the antibody response becomes diverse because many B cell clones with receptors specific to that antigen are activated and differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies. Each clone can produce a slightly different antibody that binds to different epitopes on the antigen or switch to different antibody classes (such as IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE) as the response matures. This means the immune system can generate a range of antibodies against the same antigen, increasing the chances of effectively neutralizing the threat in different contexts and tissues. While the antibody-producing cells are B cells (plasma cells) and their activity is shaped by help from other immune cells, the concept captured by the statement is that distinct immune cell populations (in practice, distinct B cell clones differentiating into plasma cells) contribute to producing diverse antibodies against the same antigen. Antibodies are not produced by all immune cells, and not by pathogens, so those options don’t fit.

When the same antigen is encountered, the antibody response becomes diverse because many B cell clones with receptors specific to that antigen are activated and differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies. Each clone can produce a slightly different antibody that binds to different epitopes on the antigen or switch to different antibody classes (such as IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE) as the response matures. This means the immune system can generate a range of antibodies against the same antigen, increasing the chances of effectively neutralizing the threat in different contexts and tissues. While the antibody-producing cells are B cells (plasma cells) and their activity is shaped by help from other immune cells, the concept captured by the statement is that distinct immune cell populations (in practice, distinct B cell clones differentiating into plasma cells) contribute to producing diverse antibodies against the same antigen.

Antibodies are not produced by all immune cells, and not by pathogens, so those options don’t fit.