Which types of cells can B cells become after activation?

B cells, upon activation, can differentiate into two main types of cells: plasma cells and memory cells.

Plasma cells are specialized for producing and secreting large quantities of antibodies, which play a crucial role in the immune response by binding to antigens and marking them for destruction by other immune cells. Memory cells, on the other hand, are long-lived cells that remain in the body after an infection has been cleared. They allow the immune system to respond more quickly and effectively if the same pathogen is encountered again in the future, providing long-term immunity.

This differentiation into plasma cells and memory cells is a key aspect of the adaptive immune response, specifically tied to the role of B cells in recognizing specific antigens and mounting an effective defense. The other options provided do not accurately reflect the capabilities and differentiation pathways associated with B cells. T cells and helper cells are categories of their own within the immune response, NK cells and macrophages are involved in innate immunity, while red blood cells and dendritic cells serve entirely different functions unrelated to B cell activation.