Final answer:
Memory B cells are the cells responsible for a rapid and effective antibody response upon re-encountering a foreign protein years after the first exposure, enabling a quick defense against reinfection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cell responsible for the ability of an organism to produce a rapid antibody response against a foreign protein when it is encountered years after the first encounter is known as a memory B cell. These memory B cells are a crucial part of the adaptive immune system's memory component.
Once these cells encounter an antigen for the first time, they participate in the primary immune response, and a subpopulation of the activated B-cells develop into memory cells, which remain inactive. However, upon subsequent exposure to the same antigen, these memory B cells can rapidly differentiate into plasma cells, which are efficacious in producing and secreting antibodies at high rates.
This secondary immune response that memory B cells provide helps in preventing the infection potentially before it takes hold, which is the underlying principle of how vaccinations work.