(e)

Other killer cells retain fragments of the pathogens they have destroyed and ‘present’ them on their surface. These fragments – called antigens – send signals to other members of the immune system family, which become memory cells.

Next time the pathogen is encountered, these newly programmed memory cells will recognise it and produce antibodies. The antibodies stick to the surface of the pathogen and may destroy it, or prevent it from infecting healthy cells.

This is one way the innate immune system helps the adaptive or acquired immune system to work properly.

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