Which statement about memory B cells is true?

Which statement about memory B cells is true?

• A. They are short-lived and disappear after the primary response.
• B. They remain in the bloodstream and rapidly secrete antibodies during a secondary response.
• C. They remain in lymphatic tissue after activation.
• D. They are mature T cells with memory markers.

Answer: (C)

Memory B cells are long‑lived B lymphocytes that persist in secondary lymphoid tissues after the primary immune response. Their main role is to provide a rapid and robust response upon re-encounter with the same antigen. They remain ready in places like lymph nodes and the spleen so that when the antigen shows up again, they can quickly encounter it, proliferate, and differentiate into antibody-secreting cells. Importantly, memory B cells themselves do not continuously secrete antibodies; that job is handled by plasma cells that arise after memory B cells are reactivated. They are not mature T cells, so describing them as T cells with memory markers would be incorrect.

Memory B cells are long‑lived B lymphocytes that persist in secondary lymphoid tissues after the primary immune response. Their main role is to provide a rapid and robust response upon re-encounter with the same antigen. They remain ready in places like lymph nodes and the spleen so that when the antigen shows up again, they can quickly encounter it, proliferate, and differentiate into antibody-secreting cells. Importantly, memory B cells themselves do not continuously secrete antibodies; that job is handled by plasma cells that arise after memory B cells are reactivated. They are not mature T cells, so describing them as T cells with memory markers would be incorrect.