Following the primary immune response, which cells give rise to memory cells?

Study for the Rutgers Anatomy and Physiology II exam. Review with comprehensive questions, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Enhance your understanding of key concepts!

In the immune system, memory cells are specialized cells that help the body remember past infections, allowing for a more rapid and effective response to subsequent exposures to the same pathogen. The correct understanding is that both B-cells and T-cells give rise to memory cells after the primary immune response.

During the primary immune response, when a pathogen is first encountered, B-cells recognize specific antigens and differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibodies. Alongside this, some of the activated B-cells become memory B-cells, which persist in the body for long periods and can quickly respond if the same antigen is encountered again.

Similarly, T-cells, specifically helper T-cells and cytotoxic T-cells, also differentiate into memory T-cells during this primary response. These memory T-cells play a critical role in mounting a swift immune response if the body is re-exposed to the pathogen in the future.

The mention of macrophages is notable because while they play a pivotal role in the immune system by engulfing pathogens and presenting antigens to T-cells, they do not specifically give rise to memory cells. Macrophages do not undergo the same kind of differentiation that leads to memory cell formation.

Overall, both B-cells and

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