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Which of the following mechanisms is responsible for the phenomenon of immunological memory, wherein the immune system mounts a faster and more robust response upon re-exposure to a previously encountered pathogen?

  • A. Clonal expansion of memory B cells
  • B. Differentiation of na(cid:239)ve T cells into effector T cells
  • C. Production of antibodies by plasma cells
  • D. Activation of the complement system
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Immunological memory is primarily maintained by the clonal expansion of memory B cells. Memory B cells are a type of long-lived immune cell that originates from previously activated B cells during an immune response to a pathogen. When the immune system encounters the same pathogen again, memory B cells can quickly recognize and respond to it by undergoing rapid clonal expansion and differentiation into plasma cells that produce specific antibodies. This quick and robust response leads to the more efficient elimination of the pathogen during secondary exposure, resulting in the faster and stronger immune response characteristic of immunological memory.