What type of immune response do plasma cells primarily contribute to?

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Plasma cells play a crucial role in the humoral immune response, which is the part of the adaptive immune system primarily responsible for targeting extracellular pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. When B cells encounter an antigen, they undergo activation and differentiation into plasma cells, which are specialized for producing and secreting antibodies. These antibodies are specific to the antigens encountered and help neutralize pathogens by binding to them, marking them for destruction by other immune cells, or blocking their ability to infect cells.

The humoral response is characterized by the production of antibodies that circulate in the bloodstream and lymphatic system, providing the body with the means to identify and neutralize pathogens effectively. This response is essential for immune defense and for the development of immunological memory, which protects against future infections by the same pathogen.

In contrast, cytotoxic responses involve direct killing of infected cells, primarily mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, while cell-mediated responses involve various immune cells, including T cells, that regulate and coordinate the immune responses. Innate responses comprise nonspecific defenses that act rapidly, such as barriers (skin, mucous membranes) and innate immune cells (macrophages, neutrophils) that respond to infections before the adaptive immune response is established. These aspects clarify

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