How do vaccines prevent certain diseases?

Vaccines introduce a dead, inactive or altered form of a pathogen (a microbe that causes an infectious disease) into the body. These pathogens have antigens, which have a shape specific to that pathogen. The white blood cells (the main cells of the immune system) then create antibodies with a complimentary shape to those antigens, which help the white cells kill off the pathogen by attacking the antigen. Then, if the body is infected by the live version of the same pathogen, the white blood cells can respond more rapidly and produce the same antibodies, so you are protected from that disease.

Answered by Alice M. Biology tutor

2148 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe how a change in temperature affects enzyme activity.


Upon perfroming vigorous excercise, an athlete's blood glucose begins to decrease. Describe how the body responds when blood glucose concentration begins to decrease.


What is glucose homeostasis in a human?


What is a metabolic rate?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences