Immunity and Memory Cells After Infection Flashcards

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What does it mean when a person is immune to a disease?

It means their body can quickly destroy the pathogen so they do not get ill, or only get very mild symptoms.

What are memory cells in the immune system?

They are special white blood cells that stay in the body after an infection and remember the pathogen's antigens.

How are memory cells made after an infection?

When lymphocytes fight a new pathogen, some of them turn into long-lasting memory cells instead of short-lived cells.

What happens the next time the same pathogen enters the body?

Memory cells spot the antigens quickly and make lots of antibodies fast, killing the pathogen before you feel very ill.

Why is the secondary immune response faster than the first response?

Because memory cells are already present and can make the right antibodies straight away, without needing time to recognise the pathogen.

Why do you usually not get diseases like measles more than once?

After the first infection, memory cells for the measles virus stay in your body and protect you if the virus enters again.

What is active immunity?

Active immunity is when your own immune system makes antibodies and memory cells after an infection or a vaccine.

What is passive immunity?

Passive immunity is when you get ready-made antibodies from another person or animal, so no memory cells are made and it is only short term.

How do vaccines lead to immunity?

Vaccines contain a safe form of a pathogen that triggers your immune system to make antibodies and memory cells, without causing the full disease.

Why might booster injections be needed some years after a vaccine?

Over time the number of memory cells can fall, so a booster gives a small dose of antigen again to raise memory cell levels.