What type of cells are long-lasting and remember pathogens?

The type of cells that are long-lasting and remember pathogens are memory cells, which include memory B cells specifically for the adaptive immune response. These cells develop after an initial infection and help the immune system respond more efficiently upon subsequent encounters with the same pathogen. Memory cells are crucial for the rapid and robust response during later infections, allowing the body to “remember” previous threats, thereby providing immunity.

Memory B cells, while they fall under the broader category of memory cells, specifically refer to the B cells that are involved in producing antibodies. They retain the information about the specific antigens they have encountered and can quickly produce new antibodies when the pathogen is re-encountered.

Other options mentioned play different roles in the immune response. Plasmablasts are short-lived cells that secrete antibodies during an ongoing immune response. Helper cells, or helper T cells, assist in regulating the immune response by sending signals to other immune cells but do not have the memory characteristic that allows them to remember pathogens over time. Therefore, the most accurate and encompassing term for cells that remember pathogens is memory cells, which includes memory B cells.