Which type of white blood cell is involved in producing antibodies?

B cells are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune system by producing antibodies. When B cells encounter an antigen, which is a substance that the body recognizes as foreign, they become activated. After activation, they differentiate into plasma cells, which are specialized cells that secrete large quantities of antibodies. These antibodies bind specifically to antigens, marking them for destruction by other immune cells or neutralizing them directly.

This antibody-mediated immune response is vital for protecting the body against infections, as antibodies can help neutralize pathogens like bacteria and viruses. The ability of B cells to remember these antigens after an initial exposure is also a key aspect of the adaptive immune response, allowing for a faster and more effective response upon subsequent encounters with the same pathogen.

In contrast, T cells primarily focus on cellular immunity, targeting infected or cancerous cells rather than producing antibodies directly. Macrophages are important phagocytic cells that engulf and digest pathogens, while neutrophils are another type of white blood cell that respond quickly to infections, but they do not produce antibodies either. Therefore, B cells are the correct answer as the primary producers of antibodies in the immune response.