Primary vs Secondary Immune Response Flashcards

Study Notes

Primary Immune Response

Begins with a slight delay in antibody production due to antigen presentation.
B cells transform into plasma cells, which are responsible for antibody production.
Plasma cells have a short lifespan because of their high activity level, leading to rapid energy use and subsequent death.
Once plasma cells die, the concentration of antibodies in the blood decreases.
Memory cells are created and remain in circulation and stored in lymph nodes for future encounters.

Secondary Immune Response

Involves the formation of memory B cells, similar to T cells, which are crucial for faster immune reactions.
Upon re-exposure to the same antigen, memory B cells rapidly divide and convert into plasma cells.
This process results in a swift increase in antibody production, significantly higher than during the primary response.
Plasma cells produced from memory cells release large quantities of antibodies.
As plasma cells die off, antibody concentrations in the blood decline, similar to the primary response, but generally at a faster rate.

Lifespan of Plasma Cells

Plasma cells have a short lifespan due to their constant activity in antibody production.
High energy expenditure and the continuous release of antibodies contribute to their rapid death.

Differences Between Primary and Secondary Immune Responses

Primary immune response experiences a delay in antibody production for antigen presentation and B & T cell activation.
Antibody concentration rises gradually as cloned plasma cells begin to contribute.
Secondary immune response is characterized by a rapid increase in antibody levels due to immediate activation of memory B and T cells.
Memory cells play a vital role, allowing for faster and more substantial antibody production upon secondary encounters with antigens.

Description

This set of flashcards focuses on the crucial differences between primary and secondary immune responses. Learn about the process of antibody production and the roles of B cells in a structured format to enhance your understanding of immunology.