Biology – The immune system | e-Consult
The immune system (1 questions)
The following table summarizes the key functions of each cell type involved in the primary immune response and their interactions:
| Cell | Key Functions | Interactions |
| Macrophages | Phagocytosis of pathogens, antigen presentation on MHC II, cytokine production. | Present antigens to Th cells, activate other immune cells. |
| B-Lymphocytes | Antibody production (plasma cells), antigen recognition. | Activated by Th cells, differentiate into plasma cells. Antibodies neutralize pathogens and mark them for destruction. |
| Plasma Cells | Secrete large quantities of antibodies. | Derived from activated B-lymphocytes, responsible for antibody-mediated immunity. |
| T-Helper Cells (Th cells) | Secrete cytokines to activate B-cells and macrophages. | Recognize antigens presented on MHC II by macrophages, provide signals for B-cell activation and antibody production. |
| T-Killer Cells (Cytotoxic T cells) | Kill infected cells presenting viral antigens on MHC I. | Recognize antigens presented on MHC I by infected cells, directly kill infected cells. |
Immunological memory is a crucial aspect of the primary immune response. Following the initial encounter with a pathogen, a subset of B-cells and T-cells differentiate into memory cells. These memory cells are long-lived and remain in the body, ready to respond rapidly upon subsequent encounters with the same pathogen. This rapid response is significantly faster and more effective than the initial primary response, providing long-lasting immunity. The generation of memory cells is the basis for vaccination, where exposure to a weakened or inactive pathogen triggers a primary immune response and the formation of memory cells, providing protection against future infection.