Plasma Cells (Antibody Factories)

A grown-up B cell

Plasma cells start out as B cells. When a B cell finds its germ, and a helper T cell says "go," it can turn into a plasma cell.

• It is shaped like an egg.
• Its nucleus sits off to one side.
• The rest is packed with folded layers that build proteins. That's the factory floor!

Many plasma cells live in your bone marrow, and some live in lymph nodes and your gut.

Making antibodies

Plasma cells make antibodies. Antibodies are tiny Y-shaped proteins. Each kind fits one germ, like a key fits one lock.

Antibodies stick to germs. That stops some germs from getting into your cells, and it marks them so eater cells can find them.

Plasma cell quiz