Antibodies

Question 1

What is the structure of an antibody?

Answer 1

-4 polypeptide chains: 2 heavy, 2 light
-Each antibody has a specific binding site that fits specifically to a certain antigen to form an antigen-antibody complex
-The binding site is different for each antibody so is called the variable region
-The rest of the antibody is referred to as the constant region

Question 2

What are the functions of antibodies?

Answer 2

(1) Cause agglutination of bacterial cells
(2) Serve as markers that stimulate phagocytes to engulf bacterial cells (To which they are attached)

Question 3

What is the nature of a monoclonal antibody?

Answer 3

A monoclonal antibody is a clone of a specific, singular B-lymphocyte.

Question 4

What are the functions on monoclonal antibodies in society?

Answer 4

=TARGETING MEDICATIONS
-Monoclonal antibodies are produced that are specific to cancer cell antigens
-They then attach to these cells and block chemical signals that stimulate their growth
-Indirect monoclonal antibody therapy (Toxic drug attached and administered)
-Herceptin

=MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS
-Diagnosis of influenza, hepatitis and chlamydia

=PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS
-hCG hormone can be detected by monoclonal antibodies
-The hCG-antibody complex moves along the strip until it is trapped by a different type of antibody creating a coloured line

Question 5

What are the ethics of using monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 5

-Animal ethics raised due to using animals to produce initial lymphocytes
-Deaths related to use in treating multiple sclerosis
-Testing of healthy volunteers has gone poorly in the past, leading to close death