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.
