What type of immune cell is responsible for producing large amounts of specific antibodies?

The correct answer is plasma cells, as they are a specialized form of B-cells that have differentiated in response to an antigen. Upon activation by the presence of a specific pathogen, B-cells undergo a process of clonal expansion and differentiation, leading to the formation of plasma cells. These plasma cells are specifically designed to produce and secrete large quantities of antibodies, which are critical components of the adaptive immune response. The antibodies produced by plasma cells bind to antigens on pathogens, marking them for destruction by other immune cells or neutralizing their effects directly.

While B-cells are the precursor to plasma cells and are involved in the initial recognition of antigens, it is the plasma cells that are primarily responsible for the production of antibodies in significant amounts. T-cells play crucial roles in cell-mediated immunity and in helping B-cells but do not produce antibodies themselves. Macrophages are involved in phagocytosis and antigen presentation rather than antibody production. Thus, the specific role of plasma cells in antibody production distinguishes them as the correct choice in this context.