Cell recognition and the immune system

Question 1

Explain th euse of antibodies in the ELISA(Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) test to detect antigens?

Answer 1

1. attach sample with potenial antigens to well
2. add complementary monoclonal antibodies woth enzyme attached–> bind to antigens if present
3. wash well–> remove unbound antibodies (to prevent false positive)
4. Add substrate–> enzymes create products that cause a colour change (positive result)

Question 1

Explain th euse of antibodies in the sandwich ELISA(Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) test to detect antigens?

Answer 1

1. attach sample with potenial antigens to well
2. Add sample with potential antigens,then wash well
3. add complementary monoclonal antibodies with enzymes attached –>bind to antigens if present
4. Wash well-Remove unbound antibodies to prevent false positives
5. Add subsrate–> enzymes create products that cause a colour change (positive result)

Question 2

Explain the use of antibodies in the ELISA test to detect antibodies

Answer 2

1. attach sample with potenial antigens to well
2. Add sample with potential antibodies ,wash well
3. add complementary monoclonal antibodies with enzymes attached –> bind to antibodies if present
4. Wash well–>remove unbound antibodies
5. Add substrae-Enzymes create products that cause a colour change

Question 3

Suggest the purpose of a control well in the ELISA test

Answer 3

Compare to test to show only enzymes cuase colour change
Compare to test to show all unbound antibodies have been washed away

Question 4

Discuss some general ethical issues associated with th euse of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies

Answer 4

Pre clinical testing on/use of animals- potential stress/harm/mistreatment
-But animals not killed and helps produce new drugs to reduce human suffering
Clinical trials on humans-potenital harm/side effetcs
Vaccines may continue high risk activities and still develop/pass on pathogens
Use of drug- potentially dangerous sie effects

Question 5

Suggest some points to consider when evaluating methodlogy relating to the use of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies

Answer 5

Was the sample size large enoguh to be representive
Were particpants diverse in terms of age,sex,ethnicity and health status
Were placebos /control groups used for comparison
Was the duration of the study long enought o show long term effects
Was the trial double nlind (nether doctor nor paiteint knew who was given the dyrg or placebo)to reduce bias

Question 6

Suggest some points to consider when evaluating evidence and date relatong to the use of vaccines and monoclonqal antiodies

Answer 6

What side efects were pbserved, and how frequent did the y occur
Was a statistical test used to see if there was a sgnificant diff between start and final results
Was the standard devoation of final results large ,shjwoing there may not be a sig diff
What dosage was optimum?Does incfreasing effectiveness epugh to justify extra cost?
Was the cost of production and distrubtion low enough