The ability of memory lymphocytes to remember previous infections and improve immune defenses if the same microbe is encountered in the future is known as __________.

Immunological memory is a basic defense mechanism that is common in adaptive immune system, which improves on the response rate and efficiency of the immune system to subsequent attacks from antigens after an initial invasion of the body by such antigens has been neutralized or dealt with.

During the initial invasion of the body by unknown antigenes that cause infection, the immune cells known as the T and B cells work together in producing antibodies to provide a primary immune response against this threat. Some of these antibodies and memory cells remain in the body, making it possible for the immune system to recognize the specific antigenes quickly when they invade the system in subsequent attacks. The immunological memory of the immune system makes it possible for quick and fast response in eliminating such identified antigens when next they invade the body .