What type of cells do B lymphocytes produce to combat infections?

B lymphocytes, or B cells, play a crucial role in the adaptive immune system primarily by producing antibodies. When B cells are activated in response to an infection, they differentiate into plasma cells that specifically synthesize and secrete antibodies. These antibodies are proteins that can recognize and bind to specific antigens found on pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, effectively neutralizing them and marking them for destruction by other immune cells.

Antibodies are vital for the immune response as they not only help in neutralizing pathogens but also facilitate their opsonization, which enhances their uptake by phagocytic cells. Moreover, the production of antibodies leads to the formation of a robust immune defense, enabling the body to remember and swiftly respond to future encounters with the same pathogen through a stronger and more efficient antibody-mediated response.

The other options do relate to important aspects of the immune response; however, they do not directly address the primary function of B lymphocytes in the context of combating infections. Cytokines are signaling molecules that facilitate communication between cells during the immune response, memory cells provide long-term immunity but are specifically derived from B cells and T cells, and T cells perform different roles such as killing infected host cells and orchestrating immune responses but are not produced