American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

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Prepare for the ABS QE with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question provides hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Start your journey to becoming a certified surgeon and tackle your exam with confidence!

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Which type of cells are responsible for producing antibodies?

B cells
T cells
Neutrophils
Monocytes

The correct answer is: B cells

The production of antibodies is a function specifically associated with B cells, which are a type of white blood cell crucial to the adaptive immune response. B cells differentiate into plasma cells upon activation, and these plasma cells are responsible for secreting antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that specifically recognize and bind to antigens, which are foreign substances like pathogens or toxins, thereby neutralizing them or marking them for destruction by other immune cells. T cells, while integral to the immune system, primarily serve different functions, such as killing infected host cells or helping to activate other immune cells. Neutrophils are also not involved in antibody production; rather, they are part of the innate immune response and are primarily tasked with engulfing and destroying pathogens. Monocytes, which can differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells, play a role in phagocytosis and antigen presentation but do not produce antibodies either. This specialized role of B cells in the production of antibodies is fundamental to the adaptive immunity and the body's ability to generate a targeted response against specific pathogens.