L4 - An Immune Response

• Immune response (Part 1):

  1. Antigens on the surface of pathogens trigger an immune response in the body
  2. If a lymphocyte detects antigens, it will divide by mitosis and produce plasma cells. Plasma cells produce antibodies which join onto the antigens of the pathogen. These antibodies are specific to the antigen
• Immune response (Part 2):

  3. The antibodies bind to the antigens which inactivates and destroys the pathogen

  4. Some memory cells are also produced when the lymphocyte divides. If the same pathogen infects the body again, the memory cells respond immediately and divide rapidly to produce lots of plasma cells which make a much larger amount of antibodies and much quicker, providing immunity after natural infection or vaccination
• Primary response

  The first time your body detects an antigen.

  The immune response is slower and less antibodies are produced.
• Secondary response

  The second time your body detects an antigen.

  The immune response is immediate and lots more antibodies are produced.