# Antibodies are an important part of the specific defence system. Explain how antibodies are produced and how they protect the body after a pathogen enters the bloodstream for the first time, and why the response is faster if the same pathogen enters the body a second time.

> Eduqas A-Level Biology — 3.2 Respiration · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. White blood cells / lymphocytes detect antigens on the surface of the pathogen
2. Lymphocytes produce/release complementary antibodies specific to that antigen
3. Antibodies bind to antigens on the pathogen to neutralise it / clump pathogens together (agglutination)
4. After infection, memory cells remain in the body
5. On second exposure to the same pathogen, memory cells rapidly divide and produce antibodies more quickly, so the pathogen is destroyed before symptoms develop

## Key terms

- [specific defence system](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/specific-defence-system)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/antibodies-are-an-important-part-of-fda769de) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.