Antibodies are special proteins the body uses to combat foreign elements such as viruses and infections. They consist of two large protein complexes and two smaller complexes. They also contain a special portion of their protein make-up dedicated to the genetic memory of bacteria and diseases encountered by the body.
Plasma Cells
Antibodies are made by special white blood cells called plasma cells. White blood cells are the cells within the body responsible for fighting bacteria and disease. The plasma cells begin their life cycle in bone marrow and end in the spleen.
Memory
Antibodies contain genetic memory for fighting disease. Antibodies each have a section devoted to carrying a portion of memory cells. The cells hold the appropriate response by the body when encountering bacteria. For example, after one encounters pneumonia and the body fights it off, the antibodies add a memory cell to remember the makeup of pneumonia and how best to fight it.
