What type of lymphocyte matures in bone marrow and produces antibodies?

B lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that matures in the bone marrow and is primarily responsible for the production of antibodies. Once they have matured, they circulate in the bloodstream and lymphatic systems, ready to recognize antigens—foreign substances that induce an immune response.

Upon encountering an antigen, B lymphocytes can differentiate into plasma cells, which are the active form of B cells that secrete antibodies specific to that antigen. These antibodies then bind to the antigens, neutralizing them or marking them for destruction by other immune cells. This ability to produce antibodies is crucial for the adaptive immune response, providing long-lasting protection against specific pathogens.

In contrast, T lymphocytes mature in the thymus and are primarily involved in cell-mediated immunity rather than antibody production. Natural killer cells play a role in the innate immune response by targeting and destroying infected or cancerous cells without the need for prior sensitization to the antigen. Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells upon entering tissues; they assist in phagocytosis and antigen presentation but do not produce antibodies. Thus, the distinctive role of B lymphocytes in antibody production specifically makes this choice the correct answer.