Immune memory — Science definition
Defined in 2 courses:
- Cells persisting after recovery that respond to the same pathogen in hours rather than days, which is why some diseases are usually once-only. (Life Science & Scientific Inquiry)
- Persistence of cells or responses that change a later encounter with an antigen. (Life Science: Biology)
Where it is taught
- Microorganisms, Barriers & Immune Defense — Coordination, Defense & Reproduction, Life Science & Scientific Inquiry, Grade 7
- Defense, Disease & Homeostasis — Body Systems, Signals & Homeostasis, Life Science: Biology, Grade 10
In use
Recovery usually leaves immune memory: cells that persist and respond far faster to that same pathogen next time, which is why chickenpox is usually once and a cold is not — colds are caused by many different viruses that change.
Microorganisms, Barriers & Immune Defense
Questions using immune memory
Problem 1
Which best describes immune memory?
- Persistent responsive cells support a changed later response
- All body cells rewrite every gene on purpose
- Every microbe is destroyed forever
- Skin becomes a nucleus
Answer and explanation
Persistent responsive cells support a changed later response
Memory depends on lasting biological populations and their responses.