Duration of immunity

Question 1

Do the antibody-producing lymphocytes remain in the body after an infection is fully overcome?

Answer 1

They remain in the body for a long time

Question 2

What are memory cells?

Answer 2

They are the antibody-producing lymphocytes that remain in the body after an infection is fully overcome

Question 3

What happens when a similar antigen enters the body again?

Answer 3

The memory lymphocytes can rapidly produce large amounts of that specific antibody much more quickly (this is why we don’t suffer from the same infection twice)

Question 4

Why can you suffer from the cold or influenza more than once?

Answer 4

Because there are many different forms of the cold and flu viruses (each with different antigens).

Question 5

How do new cold and flu viruses develop?

Answer 5

New cold and flu viruses develop by mutations

Question 6

Answer the following in terms of the general defence system:
Firstline of defence (3)
The second line of defence (3)

Answer 6

First line of defence:
Skin
Mucous membranes
Secretions from skin and mucous membranes

Second line of defence:
Phagocytes
Defence proteins
Inflammation

Question 7

Answer the following in terms of the specific (immune) system:
Third line of defence (2)

Answer 7

Third line of defence:
Monocytes destroy antigens
Antibodies