B9 Monoclonal antibodies

Question 1

What is a clone of cells?

Answer 1

Group of identical cells that have formed from a single cell dividing over and over again

Question 2

What is a hybridoma?

Answer 2

It is a hybrid of a lymphocyte and a tumour cell - it can divide, grow endlessly and produce antibodies

Question 3

How are monoclonal antibodies used in research?

Answer 3

For locating and identifying specific molecules in cells and tissues

Question 4

How are monoclonal antibodies used in diagnostic testing?

Answer 4

For measuring levels of specific hrmons or chemicals in blood or urine.

E.g pregnancy tests detects HCG

Question 5

How are monoclonal antibodies used to treat cancer?

Answer 5

For delivering toxic chemicals and drugs directly to the cancer cells, limiting their harm to other cells in the body

Question 6

Why are monoclonal antibodies not used widely?

Answer 6

Side effects
Expensive

Question 7

Name the process by which bacteria divide

Answer 7

Binary fission

Question 8

Why should an inoculating loop be passed through a flame before and after use?

Answer 8

Sterilise it
Kill bacteria

Question 9

Name 2 culture media that microorganisms can be grown in.

Answer 9

Nutrient broth
Agar gel plates

Question 10

Why should the lids of agar gel plates and culture bottles be opened as little as possible?

Answer 10

To prevent contamination

Question 11

Why shouldn’t you incubate at temperatures higher than 25 degrees?

Answer 11

To reduce the chance of human pathogens growing.

Question 12

How are monoclonal antibodies produced?

Answer 12

1. Mice are injected with lymhocytes that make specific antibodies
2. Tumour cells are cultured
3. The lymphocytes are fused with the tumour cells to form hybridoma cells
4. Hybridoma cell divides to make a large number of identical cells. All cloned cells can then make the antibody
5. A large amount of the monoclonal antibody can be produced, collected and purified for use

Question 13

How are microorganisms cultured?

Answer 13

1. Sterilise culture media and workspace. Pass inoculating loop through a flame.
2. Loosen the lid on the bacteria culture bottle and dip the inoculating loop in the culture
3. Inoculate the agar gel plate by drawing crosses on the surface of the sygar
4. Tape shut and incubate facing downwards

Question 14

Why should the lids of the agar gel plates and culture bottles be opened as little as possible?

Answer 14

To prevent contamination