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GCSE Biology · key term
A long-lived white blood cell that remains after an immune response and enables a faster response if the same antigen is encountered again.
Used by AQA and OCR
Specification 4.3.1.7 · Paper 1
A long-lived white blood cell that enables a rapid, specific immune response when the same pathogen enters the body again.
Revise: VaccinationSome of the responding white blood cells remain as memory cells. It is these cells, rather than a permanent store of antibodies, that provide longer-lasting protection.
Specification B6.3l, B6.3o · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
A lymphocyte that remains after an immune response and helps the body respond rapidly if the same antigen is encountered again.
Revise: Immune system roleAfter the first response, some lymphocytes remain as memory cells. If the same antigen enters the body again, these cells help produce the matching antibodies much more quickly. The pathogen may be removed before it causes noticeable illness.
A long-lived lymphocyte formed after exposure to an antigen that enables a faster immune response if the same antigen is encountered again.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
A long-lived cell formed after an immune response that enables a faster response to the same antigen in future.
Revise: Immune System RoleAfter the infection has been cleared, some of the responding cells remain as memory cells. They retain the ability to recognise the same antigen.
A long-lasting white blood cell that helps the body respond more quickly if it meets the same pathogen again.
For an explanation of vaccination, give the whole sequence: dead or inactive pathogen introduced → white blood cells produce specific antibodies → memory cells remain → later response is faster → illness is prevented.
Do not say that the vaccine causes the disease or that antibodies remain in the body permanently. The vaccine contains dead or inactive forms of the pathogen, and memory cells provide the longer-term protection.
When explaining immunity, link memory cells to a faster response on later exposure to the same antigen.
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