The clonal selection theory states that each antigen-reactive B cell or T cell has a cell surface receptor for a single antigen epitope.

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The clonal selection theory proposes that each antigen-reactive B cell or T cell has a unique cell surface receptor for a single antigen epitope. When an antigen binds to the receptor of a particular B or T cell, it triggers proliferation and differentiation of that cell into a population of identical cells that can effectively recognize and respond to the antigen. This process is known as clonal expansion and underlies the specificity of the adaptive immune response. Thus, the clonal selection theory supports the idea that each antibody or T cell receptor is specific for a single antigenic epitope.

The Clonal Selection Theory States That Each Antigen-Reactive B Cell