Type of leukocyte fundamental to the immune system , regulating and participating in acquired immunity .
Each has receptor molecules on its surface that bind to a specific antigen . The two primary types, B cell s and T cell s, originate from stem cells in bone marrow and travel to lymphoid tissue s. When a B cell binds to an antigen, it multiplies to form a clone of identical cells. Some of these, acted on by helper T cells, differentiate into plasma cells that produce immunity to the antigen.
Human lymphocyte (phase-contrast microphotograph).
Manfred Kage
Peter Arnold