affinity maturation

Affinity maturation is the process by which our immune system improves the ability of antibodies to recognize and bind to a specific pathogen, like a virus. When the immune system encounters a pathogen, it produces antibodies, some of which bind weakly. Over time, immune cells called B cells undergo mutations in their antibody genes, creating variations. The cells producing higher-affinity antibodies are selected to grow and produce more antibodies. This process, happening mainly in lymph nodes, enhances the overall effectiveness of the immune response, so future encounters with the same pathogen are met with stronger, more precise antibodies.