Microbiology: A Human Perspective 7th Edition by Eugene Nester,Martha Nester,Denise Anderson, Evans Roberts

Exercise 1

The development of primary and secondary immune responses to an antigen differ significantly. The primary response may take a week or more to develop fully and establish memory. The sec­ondary response is rapid and relies on the activation of clones of memory cells. Would it not be better if clones of reactive cells were maintained regardless of prior exposure? In this way, the body could always respond rapidly to any antigen exposure. Would there be any disadvantages to this approach? Why?