PLASMA CELLS Meaning and
Definition
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Plasma cells, also known as plasmocytes, are a specialized type of white blood cells that play a crucial role in the immune system's response to infections. They are produced in the bone marrow and are derived from B-cells, a type of lymphocyte.
Plasma cells are responsible for producing and secreting large quantities of antibodies, which are proteins that specifically target and neutralize foreign substances known as antigens. When the body is exposed to an antigen, such as a bacteria or virus, B-cells are activated and undergo a complex process of maturation and differentiation, eventually transforming into plasma cells.
These mature plasma cells produce and release significant amounts of antibodies into the bloodstream. Each plasma cell is specialized to produce a specific type of antibody, allowing for a diverse repertoire of antibodies to be produced by the immune system. This process is known as humoral immunity and helps to fight off infections by binding to antigens, marking them for destruction by other immune cells.
Plasma cells are identifiable under a microscope due to their characteristic appearance, which includes a prominent eccentric round nucleus and a richly developed endoplasmic reticulum (a cellular organelle involved in protein synthesis). Their high antibody-secreting capacity and the crucial role they play in the immune response make plasma cells vital components of the body's defense mechanisms against pathogens.
Common Misspellings for PLASMA CELLS
- olasma cells
- llasma cells
- -lasma cells
- 0lasma cells
- pkasma cells
- ppasma cells
- poasma cells
- plzsma cells
- plssma cells
- plwsma cells
- plqsma cells
- plaama cells
- plazma cells
- plaxma cells
- pladma cells
- plaema cells
- plawma cells
- plasna cells
- plaska cells
- plasja cells
Etymology of PLASMA CELLS
The word "plasma cells" comes from two different origins.
The term "plasma" in biology refers to the liquid portion of blood or lymph, which contains various proteins, electrolytes, and cells. It originates from the Ancient Greek word "plasma" (πλάσμα), meaning "something molded" or "formed substance". In this context, plasma cells are so named because they were initially observed in the liquid portion of blood.
The word "cells" is derived from the Latin word "cellula", meaning "small room" or "cell". This term was first used in biology to describe the smallest unit of life, often compared to a tiny room where activities occur. Therefore, "plasma cells" refers to the specialized cells found in the plasma that are involved in immune responses and the production of antibodies.
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