What do B lymphocytes primarily produce in response to pathogens?

B lymphocytes, or B cells, play a crucial role in the immune system by targeting pathogens. In response to an encounter with a pathogen, B cells primarily differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibodies. These antibodies are specific proteins that can bind to antigens on the surface of pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses, marking them for destruction or neutralization.

The production of antibodies is essential in providing immunity and facilitating the clearance of infectious agents from the body. The antibodies can neutralize toxins produced by pathogens, agglutinate pathogens for easier clearance, or activate other immune components to eliminate the threat.

While memory cells are also produced by B cells during the immune response, serving to provide long-term immunity by remembering specific pathogens for quicker responses upon future exposure, the key function of B cells in combating pathogens remains the production of antibodies.

Toxins are typically substances produced by pathogens themselves and do not represent a product of B cells. Additionally, phagocytes are immune cells (like macrophages and neutrophils) that consume and digest pathogens directly; they do not originate from B lymphocytes but work in conjunction with them to clear infections.