B cell
noun Biology.
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.
Also called beta cell.
a cell in the islet of Langerhans that produces and secretes insulin.
Origin of B cell
1970–75;
(def 1) perhaps
B(one-derived);
(def 2)
B(ursa of Langerhans-derived)
Medical definitions for b cell
B cell
n.
beta cell
A type of lymphocyte that, when stimulated by a particular antigen, differentiates into plasma cells that synthesize the antibodies that circulate in the blood and react with the specific antigens.
B lymphocyte
Scientific definitions for b cell
B cell
Any of the lymphocytes that develop into plasma cells in the presence of a specific antigen. The plasma cells produce antibodies that attack or neutralize the antigen in what is called the humoral immune response. B cells mature in the bone marrow before being released into the blood. Also called B lymphocyte Compare T cell.