Lesson plan 11: Antigen-presenting cells and memory cells
Resources
Internet access for all students.
Lesson content
When pathogens infect tissue, some phagocytes capture the pathogen and
display fragments of its antigens on their surface. These antigen-presenting
cells activate the production of a clone of the T lymphocytes that move to the
site of infection under the direction of cytokines. B lymphocytes activated by
antigen-presenting cells and T lymphocytes produce a clone of B
lymphocytes, which secrete antibodies into the lymph and blood, from where
they make their way to the infected area.
Some T and B lymphocytes produced in response to antigens by clonal
selection survive long term as memory cells. A secondary exposure to the
same antigen rapidly gives rise to a new clone of lymphocytes, producing a
rapid and greater immunological response.
Introduction (5 min)
Learning outcomes
Today we are learning about the role of antigen-presenting cells in the
immune response. We are also learning about immunological memory.
Success criteria
We will know we are successful when we can:
 describe the role of phagocytes, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes during
antigen presentation
 describe what is meant by immunological memory
 state the benefits of having memory cells.
Activity 1 (35 min)
Students should access
http://nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/immunity/immune -overview.html
and read through the overview. They should then click on ‘The immune
system – in more detail’ to go to:
http://nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/immunity/immune -detail.html.
Students should revise what they have already learned and pay particular
attention to the section on antigen presentation.
IMMUNOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH (H, HUMAN BIOLOGY)
© Learning and Teaching Scotland 2011
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Students should make notes to add to what they already have on other aspects
of the immune system. They should then make new notes on antigen
presentation and immunological memory.
Students should sketch and label the diagrams on antigen presentation and
immunological memory.
Activity 2 (10 min)
Once students have finished making their own notes they should then play the
game immune system defenders. See:
http://nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/immunity/game/index.html
Plenary (5 min)
Refer to the learning outcomes and success criteria – have the success criteria
been achieved?
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IMMUNOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH (H, HUMAN BIOLOGY)
© Learning and Teaching Scotland 2011