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NDA Biology · Human Physiology

The Immune System

White blood cells defend the body; lymphocytes are the cells that produce antibodies against foreign antigens.

All Human Physiology notesNDA Biology strategy

Why this matters

2 PYQs, both the same fact: lymphocytes make antibodies. Worth one sure mark — learn which white blood cell does antibody production versus the others (neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes).

Concept 1 of 1

White blood cells and antibody production

Intuition

White blood cells (leucocytes) are the body's defence force, and they specialise. The one that makes antibodies against a specific foreign antigen is the lymphocyte — specifically B-lymphocytes, which mature into antibody-secreting plasma cells.

Definition

The white-blood-cell roles the bank tests:

  • Lymphocytes — produce antibodies (B-lymphocytes → plasma cells); also T-lymphocytes for cell-mediated immunity.
  • Neutrophils — first responders; engulf bacteria (phagocytosis).
  • Eosinophils — fight parasites and act in allergy.
  • Monocytes — become macrophages (large eaters).

Antibody production is the lymphocyte's job — not erythrocytes (RBCs), platelets, or the other WBCs.

CellMain role
LymphocytesProduce ANTIBODIES (B-cells → plasma cells)
NDA 2024/2025 — the antibody-producing cells are LYMPHOCYTES.
NeutrophilsPhagocytosis of bacteria
EosinophilsParasites, allergy
MonocytesBecome macrophages
Practice this conceptself-check · 3 quick reps

Try it yourself

During an infection the body makes large numbers of antibodies. Which blood cell type is responsible — and which definitely is not (red blood cells, platelets)?

Practice — Level 1 (3 reps)

Quick reps to lock in the method. Try each, then check.

  1. 1.
    Which white blood cells produce antibodies?
  2. 2.
    Do red blood cells make antibodies?
  3. 3.
    Which lymphocytes mature into antibody-secreting plasma cells?

From the bank · past-year question

Example 1Human PhysiologyEASY
Which one among the following cells produces antibodies against a foreign antigen ?

[Q123 · Apr · 2024]

Antibodies = lymphocytes, not other WBCs

Distractors offer neutrophils, eosinophils or monocytes — all are white blood cells but none produce antibodies. Antibody production is specifically the lymphocyte (B-cell) job.
Drill 1 more on white blood cells and antibody production

Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance

A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.

Reference tables (1)

White blood cells and antibody production4 rows
CellMain role
LymphocytesProduce ANTIBODIES (B-cells → plasma cells)
NDA 2024/2025 — the antibody-producing cells are LYMPHOCYTES.
NeutrophilsPhagocytosis of bacteria
EosinophilsParasites, allergy
MonocytesBecome macrophages

Watch out for (1)

Mastery check — 1 interleaved questions

Try each one before clicking. Questions are interleaved across the concepts above, not grouped — interleaving sharpens transfer.

Example 1Human PhysiologyEASY
Which one of the following blood cells type secrete large number of antibodies during an immune response of the body ?

[Q139 · Sep · 2025]

Drill every past-year question on this subtopic

2 questions from the bank — paginated, with cart and Word-export support.

Drill the 2 questions