The B cell uses its antibody-receptor to bind a matching antigen, which it then engulfs and processes. This triggers the B cell to become a large plasma cell producing millions of copies of the same specific antibody. These antibodies then circulate in the bloodstream in search of more matching antigens. B cell antibodies cannot themselves kill an invading organism, but they can use their antibodies to mark invaders for destruction by other immune cells and by complement.
![Activation of B Cells to Make Antibody](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090117093132im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/Documents/02853881-1148-4541-b2b6-e8ecd3e50c6f/cancer21.jpg)
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