# Describe how the immune system responds when a pathogen enters the body for the first time, and explain why a person recovers more quickly if they are infected by the same pathogen a second time.

> Eduqas GCSE Biology — 3.3 Treating, curing and preventing disease · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. White blood cells / lymphocytes produce antibodies in response to the pathogen's antigens
2. The antibodies are specific to / match / bind to the antigens on that pathogen
3. Memory cells are produced during the first infection
4. On second infection, memory cells allow antibodies to be produced more rapidly / in greater quantity, so the pathogen is destroyed before the person becomes seriously ill

## Key terms

- [pathogen](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/pathogen)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-how-the-immune-system-responds-74d4896f) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.