What happens during the secondary immune response?

During the secondary immune response, the body encounters the same antigen again after having been exposed to it previously. This response is markedly different from the primary immune response, where the body reacts to a new pathogen. In the case of the secondary response, memory cells that were generated during the first encounter become activated. These memory cells can recognize the antigen more quickly and efficiently, enabling a faster and stronger immune reaction. This process often results in a more robust production of antibodies and a more effective elimination of the pathogen, leading to a quicker resolution of the infection.

The characteristic of this response highlights the importance of the immune system's ability to "remember" past infections, which is a foundation of vaccination strategies where subsequent exposures can lead to a protective effect without the individual having to suffer from the disease.