What mechanism do B lymphocytes use to adapt to new pathogens?

B lymphocytes, or B cells, utilize a mechanism known as clonal selection to adapt to new pathogens. This process is crucial for the adaptive immune response. When B cells encounter an antigen that matches their specific surface receptors (also known as B cell receptors), they undergo activation and proliferation.

During clonal selection, the activated B cells replicate to produce a large number of identical cells that are tailored to combat the specific pathogen. Some of these cells will differentiate into plasma cells, which actively produce antibodies specific to the pathogen, enhancing the body's ability to neutralize or eliminate the threat. Others become memory B cells, which persist in the body and allow for a quicker and more effective response if the same pathogen is encountered again in the future.

This method of adaptation is fundamental to the immune system's ability to remember and respond to previously encountered pathogens, distinguishing it from the other options, which do not confer the same level of specificity and adaptability in response to infections.