4.3.2.1 Producing Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

Monoclonal antibodies:

Answer 1

monoclonal antibodies are identical antibodies that have been produced from the same immune cell

Question 2

How are monoclonal antibodies produced?

Answer 2

• monoclonal antibodies are produced from a single clone of cells
• the antibodies are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen and so can be used to target specific chemicals or specific cells in the body and so have many different medical uses

Question 3

How do scientists produce monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 3

1. Scientists obtain mice lymphocyte (white blood cell that make antibodies but can’t divide) which have been stimulated to produce a specific antibody
2. The lymphocytes are combines with a particular kind of tumour cell to make a hybridoma cell
3. Single hybridoma cells are cloned/reproduce to produce many identical cells that all produce the same antibody
4. A large amount of the antibody can be collected and purified

OR

1. A mouse is vaccinated to start the formation of antibodies.
2. Spleen cells that form antibodies are collected from the mouse in an operation
3. Tumour cells are extracted in the lab
4. Spleen cells with antibodies are fused with tumour cells (Myeloma cells) - these form hybridoma cells
5. The hybridoma cells are grown in the lab and those that produce antibodies are separated
6. Antibodies are collected

Question 4

Antigen:

Answer 4

• substance (specific to a pathogen) that initiates the immune response
• (chemical marker on the outside of a microorganism - are different shapes depending on the microorganism)

Question 5

Antiseptic:

Answer 5

substance that prevents the growth of bacteria

Question 6

White blood cell:

Answer 6

An important type of cell that makes up the immune system and produces antibodies and antitoxins