What is "plasma cell"

n. a form of lymphocyte that produces antibodies when reacted with a specific antigen; a plasmacyte

n. a lymphocyte-like cell that develops from a B lymphocyte in reaction to a specific antigen; found in bone marrow and sometimes in the blood [syn: plasmacyte]

Plasma cells, also called plasma B cells, plasmocytes, plasmacytes, or effector B cells, are white blood cells that secrete large volumes of antibodies. They are transported by the blood plasma and the lymphatic system. Plasma cells originate in the bone marrow; B cells differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibody molecules closely modeled after the receptors of the precursor B cell. Once released into the blood and lymph, these antibody molecules bind to the target antigen (foreign substance) and initiate its neutralization or destruction.