Memory cell

Memory cell refers to a type of white blood cell that is an essential component of the immune system. These cells are responsible for the body's immunity to diseases and infections that it has previously encountered. They are a key part of the adaptive immune system, which learns and adapts to new threats over time.

Overview

Memory cells are a type of lymphocyte, a white blood cell that plays a central role in the immune response. They are produced in response to an infection or vaccination, and they remain in the body for a long time after the initial threat has been eliminated.

When the body encounters a new threat, such as a virus or bacteria, the immune system produces a type of cell called an effector cell to combat it. Once the threat has been eliminated, most of these effector cells die off. However, some of them transform into memory cells and remain in the body.

Function

The primary function of memory cells is to provide long-term immunity to diseases and infections that the body has previously encountered. They do this by "remembering" the specific antigens that were present on the original threat and quickly producing a large number of effector cells if the same threat is encountered again.

This is why, for example, a person who has had chickenpox once is usually immune to it for the rest of their life. The memory cells that were produced during the initial infection remain in the body and are ready to respond quickly if the chickenpox virus is encountered again.

Types of Memory Cells

There are two main types of memory cells: memory B cells and memory T cells.

Memory B cells are produced by B cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies. When a B cell encounters an antigen, it produces a large number of effector cells and a smaller number of memory B cells. These memory B cells remain in the body and are ready to produce a rapid and strong antibody response if the same antigen is encountered again.

Memory T cells, on the other hand, are produced by T cells, another type of white blood cell. There are two main types of memory T cells: central memory T cells and effector memory T cells. Central memory T cells circulate in the blood and lymphatic system, while effector memory T cells are found in the tissues where an infection is likely to occur.

See Also

• Immune system
• White blood cell
• Lymphocyte
• Antigen
• Antibody

Memory cell Resources
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