Which cells are responsible for the production of antibodies?

The correct answer, plasma cells, are specialized cells that develop from B cells when they encounter an antigen. Upon activation, B cells proliferate and differentiate into plasma cells, which are responsible for the production and secretion of antibodies. These antibodies are proteins that specifically target antigens, aiding the immune system in identifying and neutralizing pathogens like bacteria and viruses.

While B cells are indeed the precursor cells that eventually lead to the production of antibodies, they do not secrete them directly. Instead, the B cells must first undergo activation and differentiation into plasma cells before they can produce and secrete large amounts of antibodies into the bloodstream.

Memory cells, on the other hand, are a type of B cell that serve to provide long-term immunity by 'remembering' past infections but do not produce antibodies during an active immune response. Cytotoxic T cells play a different role in the immune response by directly killing infected host cells rather than being involved in antibody production. Thus, plasma cells represent the final stage in the B cell lineage specifically tasked with the crucial role of antibody production.