Question

Memory in B cells a. prevents autoimmune diseases. b. increases the speed and strength of the immune response. c. produces specific interferons. d. is stored in stem cells.

Short answer

b. increases the speed and strength of the immune response.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the function of B cells

B cells are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune response. Their primary function is to produce antibodies against antigens.

Identify the role of memory B cells

Memory B cells are a subset of B cells formed following primary infection. They remember the specific antigens and respond more rapidly and effectively upon subsequent exposures.

Evaluate each option

a. While important, memory B cells are not primarily involved in preventing autoimmune diseases. b. Memory B cells indeed increase the speed and strength of the immune response during subsequent infections. c. Memory B cells do not produce specific interferons; this is typically a function of other immune cells. d. Memory B cells are not stored in stem cells; they are differentiated cells ready to respond.

Select the best answer

Given the analysis, the correct option is b. increases the speed and strength of the immune response.

Key concepts

immune response

The immune response is the body's defense mechanism against pathogens like bacteria, viruses, or other harmful organisms. It consists of

• the innate immune response, which is the body's first line of defense and reacts quickly to infections
• the adaptive immune response, which is more specific and involves the production of antibodies to target particular antigens

Memory B cells are crucial in the adaptive immune response. When they recognize an antigen from a previous infection, they quickly produce antibodies to neutralize the threat. This makes the immune response faster and more effective upon re-exposure.

antibodies

Antibodies are proteins produced by B cells that help to neutralize or destroy pathogens. They work by binding to specific antigens on the surface of a pathogen,

• blocking the pathogen's ability to infect cells
• marking the pathogen for destruction by other immune cells
• neutralizing toxins produced by pathogens

Each antibody targets a specific antigen, and memory B cells 'remember' this antigen,
allowing a faster and stronger response if the pathogen is encountered again.

primary infection

The primary infection is the first time the body encounters a specific pathogen. During this phase, the body takes time to identify and respond to the pathogen.

• B cells interact with the pathogen and start producing antibodies
• Some of these B cells differentiate into memory B cells,
  ready to respond quickly upon subsequent encounters with the same pathogen

Although the initial response can be slow, the creation of memory B cells ensures future responses are quicker and more efficient.

memory B cells

Memory B cells are a type of white blood cell that retain information about pathogens after the initial infection. These cells live long-term in the body and enable a rapid response to future infections with the same pathogen.
Key roles of memory B cells include:

• recognizing previously encountered antigens
• initiating a quicker and stronger antibody response during secondary infections

They do not prevent autoimmune diseases or produce interferons. Instead, they optimize the body's readiness against specific infections, ensuring that subsequent infections are handled more efficiently and effectively.