3.2.4.5 - Monoclonal Antibodies Flashcards
What is an antibody?
A protein with a specific binding site.
Synthesised by B-lymphocytes (plasma cells)
Identify the missing label.
Identify the missing label.
Identify the missing label.
Identify the missing label.
Identify the missing label.
Identify the missing label.
How many polypeptide chains make up an antibody?
4
What does the antibody binding site bind to?
A complementary antigen
What do we call an antibody that is bound to an antigen?
An antigen-antibody complex
How does an antibody lead to the destruction of an antigen?
- They cause agglutination of bacterial cells - clumping together to make it easier for a phagocyte to locate them.
- They serve as markers that stimulate phagocytes to engulf the bacterial cells to which they’re attached.
What is agglutination and how is it possible?
When an antibody binds to bacterial cells and causes them to clump together.
It is possible because antigens have 2 binding sites (see image).
What is a monoclonal antibody?
An antibody produced by a single clone of cells.
Give some uses of momoclonal antibodies.
- targetting medication to specific cell types
- medical diagnosis
- pregnancy testing
Describe how monoclonal antibodies be used to treat cancer?
- produce monoclonal antibodies specific to the antigen on the cancer cell.
- give these to a patient and they will attach to the cancer cells.
- They will block the chemical signals that stimulate uncontrolled growth of cancer cells