Final answer:
The secondary immune response is based on memory B cells, which allow for a faster and more potent response upon re-encounter with the same pathogen, quickly increasing antibody levels and often preventing symptoms of disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
The secondary immune response is distinct from the primary immune response in that it is based on the presence of memory B cells. During the initial, or primary, immune response to a pathogen, both antibody-secreting plasma cells and memory B cells are generated. However, it is these memory B cells that are critical for a secondary immune response. When the same pathogen is encountered again, these memory B cells rapidly differentiate into more plasma cells and additional memory B cells, producing a quicker and more robust response. This results in a swift increase in antibody levels, often preventing symptoms of disease from appearing due to the rapid neutralization of the pathogen.