3.2.4.5 Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

What is an antibody?

Answer 1

A protein with a specific binding site synthesized by B lymphocytes (plasma cells)

Question 2

How many polypeptide chains make up an antibody?

Answer 2

4

Question 3

What does the antibody binding site bind to?

Answer 3

A complementary antigen

Question 4

What do we call an antibody that is bound to an antigen?

Answer 4

An antigen - antibody complex

Question 5

How does an antibody lead to he destruction of an antigen?

Answer 5

1. They cause agglutination of bacteria cells - clumping together to make it easier for a phagocyte to locate them.
2. They serve as markers that stimulate phagocytes to engulf the bacterial cells to which they’re attached

Question 6

What is agglutination and hot is it possible

Answer 6

When an antibody binds to bacterial cells and causes them to clump together

It is possible because antigens have 2 binding sites

Question 7

What is a monoclonal antibody?

Answer 7

An antibody produced by a single clone of cells.

Question 8

Give some uses of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 8

1. Targeting medication to specific cell types
2. Medical diagnosis
3. Pregnancy testing

Question 9

Describe how monoclonal antibodies can be used to treat cancer

Answer 9

1. Produce monoclonal antibodies specific to the antigen on the cancer cell
2. Give these to a patient and hey will attach to the cancer cells
3. They will block the chemical signals that stimulate uncontrolled growth of cancer cells

Question 10

What is the name given to the monoclonal antibody treatment of breast cancer?

Answer 10

Herceptin

Question 11

Why are monoclonal antibodies better treatment in some cases than drugs?

Answer 11

Fewer side effects due to a very specific response on target cells

Question 12

Radioactive or cytotoxic drugs can be attached to monoclonal antibodies. How do these kill cancer cells?

Answer 12

The antibody with the attached drug attaches specifically to the cancer cells, and the drug kills the cell in a very targeted way.

Question 13

Monoclonal antibodies are used to test for HIV. What is the name of this test?

Answer 13

ELISA test

Question 14

When a woman is pregnant, the placenta produces a hormone called chlorionic gonadatrophin (hCG) that can be found in her urine, How can these hormones be used alongside monoclonal antibodies to diagnose pregnancy?

Answer 14

Monoclonal antibodies are linked to coloured particles on the test strip. If hCG is present in the urine, it will bind to the antibodies on the strip and caused the complex to move along the strip where it is trapped by another antibody creating a coloured line. No hCG, no attachment, no line.

Question 15

What are the ethical issues related to the use of monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 15

1. Mice are used to produce both tumour cells and monoclonal antibodies. The use of animals in medical research and treatment is an ethical issue as welfare is in question

2 Although the use of monoclonal antibodies saves many lives, there have been some deaths associated with their use (i.e n the treatment of MS). It is important that patients are made fully aware of any potential risks.

3. Accidents in medical trials involving human volunteers in which people are harmed because of a lack of truth in the industry and processes