Questions and Answers
What is indicated by a slight delay in antibody production?
What allows B memory cells to respond to secondary exposure to an antigen?
Why do plasma cells have a short lifespan?
Because they are constantly active, releasing lots of antibodies.
In the primary immune response, there is a slight delay in antibody production due to __________.
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Match the following characteristics with the appropriate immune response:
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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.
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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.
