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Microbiology and Pathogens

Memory cells and the secondary response

  • 2 things to know
  • Papers 1 and 3

Overview

Recall questions on how B and T memory cells persist and respond on re-exposure, and how the secondary response compares with the primary response in speed, lag, peak antibody concentration and duration.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How does the antibody production during a secondary immune response compare to the primary response?

Key term

How does the lag phase of the secondary immune response compare to that of the primary response?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What do B memory cells differentiate into upon re-exposure to their specific antigen?

    Model answer

    They rapidly differentiate into plasma cells.

  2. 2

    What happens to T memory cells after a primary infection has been cleared?

    Model answer

    They persist in the body as long-lived lymphocytes, remaining available for future encounters with the same antigen.

  3. 3

    How do T memory cells recognise a pathogen they have encountered before?

    Model answer

    They recognise the same specific antigen that was present during the primary infection.

  4. 4

    Why is the secondary cell-mediated immune response faster and stronger than the primary response?

    Model answer

    Because T memory cells are already present and can rapidly differentiate into large numbers of effector T cells, rather than requiring activation from naive T cells.

  5. 5

    How does the antibody production during a secondary immune response compare to the primary response?

    Model answer

    Antibodies are produced more quickly and in greater quantities during the secondary response.

  6. 6

    How does the lag phase of the secondary immune response compare to that of the primary response?

    Model answer

    The lag phase is shorter in the secondary response.

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