memory cell

American  

noun

Immunology.

1. any small, long-lived lymphocyte that has previously encountered a given antigen and that on reexposure to the same antigen rapidly initiates the immune response memory T cell or proliferates and produces large amounts of specific antibody memory B cell: the agent of lasting immunity.

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memory cell Cultural  

1. A cell in the immune system that, when exposed to an invading pathogen, replicates itself and remains in the lymph nodes searching for the same antigen, resulting in a more efficient and rapid response to any subsequent attack.

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The creation of memory cells is one of the main goals of vaccination.