I do not understand this question. I tried to answer it but I am completely at a loss. Can someone help?
Describe how the number of antibodies produced and time it takes to produce such antibodies differs between first time exposures and all subsequent exposures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_cell
Notice the comment...on each cycle of exposure the number of memory cells increases.
Of course, I can help you with that! The question is asking about the difference in the number of antibodies produced and the time it takes to produce them between the first exposure to a certain antigen and all subsequent exposures to the same antigen.
To answer this question, we need to understand a few concepts related to the immune response. When a person is exposed to a foreign substance (antigen), the body's immune system produces proteins called antibodies to target and neutralize the antigen. These antibodies are produced by specialized cells called B cells.
During the first exposure to an antigen, the immune response is slower and less efficient compared to subsequent exposures. This is because the immune system needs time to recognize and respond to the new antigen. Here's how the process generally works:
1. First-time exposure (primary immune response):
- Initial exposure to the antigen triggers the activation of B cells that have specific receptors for that antigen.
- These activated B cells then develop into plasma cells, which are specialized cells that produce and secrete antibodies.
- The number of plasma cells gradually increases over time, leading to the production of more antibodies.
- The production of antibodies during the primary immune response takes longer because the immune system needs to generate a specific response to the new antigen. This process typically takes several days to a few weeks.
2. Subsequent exposures (secondary immune response):
- Subsequent exposures to the same antigen result in a much faster and more efficient response.
- Memory B cells, which are created during the primary immune response, play a crucial role during subsequent exposures.
- Memory B cells "remember" the antigen and can quickly recognize and respond to it.
- When memory B cells recognize the antigen again, they rapidly divide and differentiate into plasma cells.
- Since memory B cells already exist, the secondary immune response can generate a larger number of plasma cells much more quickly.
- As a result, the production of antibodies during the secondary immune response is faster and more robust, leading to higher antibody levels.
- This accelerated response is the reason why we are often less affected by subsequent exposures to the same antigen (such as when dealing with a recurring infection or receiving booster vaccine doses).
In summary, the primary immune response, which occurs during the first exposure to an antigen, is slower and less efficient, resulting in a longer time to produce antibodies. On the other hand, subsequent exposures trigger a secondary immune response, which is faster and more robust, leading to a quicker production of a larger number of antibodies.