4.3

Question 1

What is a monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 1

Monoclonal antibodies are produced from a single clone of cells. The antibodies are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen and so are able to target a specific chemical or specific cells in the body.

Question 2

How are monoclonal antibodies produced?

Answer 2

They are produced by stimulating mouse lymphocytes to make a particular antibody. The lymphocytes are combined with a particular kind of tumour cell to make a cell called a hybridoma cell. The hybridoma cell can both divide and make the antibody. Single hybridoma cells
are cloned to produce many identical cells that all produce the same antibody. A large amount of the antibody can be collected and purified.

Question 3

List examples of uses of monoclonal anitbodies?

Answer 3

• for diagnosis such as in pregnancy tests
• in laboratories to measure the levels of hormones and other chemicals in blood, or to detect pathogens
• in research to locate or identify specific molecules in a cell or tissue by binding to them with a fluorescent dye
• to treat some diseases: for cancer the monoclonal antibody can be bound to a radioactive substance, a toxic drug or a chemical which stops cells growing and dividing. It delivers the substance to the cancer cells without harming other cells in the body.