Which is the correct sequence of events in humoral immunity?

Humoral immunity is primarily mediated by B cells, which respond to antigens by undergoing a series of well-defined steps. The correct sequence of events in humoral immunity begins with recognition, where B cells identify and bind to specific antigens. This crucial first step provides the necessary signal for the immune response to proceed.

Next in the sequence is proliferation, during which the activated B cells multiply rapidly to increase the population of cells that can respond to the antigen. This expansion is essential for mounting an effective immune response.

Following proliferation, the B cells undergo differentiation. This step is characterized by the maturation of B cells into plasma cells and memory B cells. Plasma cells are responsible for producing antibodies specific to the recognized antigen, while memory B cells ensure a faster and more robust response if the same antigen is encountered again in the future.

Finally, secretion occurs, where the plasma cells release antibodies into the bloodstream. These antibodies then help neutralize the pathogen or mark it for destruction by other immune components.

This sequence of recognition, proliferation, differentiation, and secretion outlines the effective process through which humoral immunity operates, leading to the production of antibodies that play a critical role in fighting infections.