ELISA

Question 1

How many types of antibodies does each clone of plasma cells produce

Answer 1

One type

Question 2

What are the antibodies that plasma cells produce known as

Answer 2

Monoclonal antibodies

Question 3

What does ELISA stand for

Answer 3

enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay

Question 4

What can monoclonal antibodies be used for

Answer 4

Medical Diagnoses, they can be used in test kits to diagnose diseases and conditions. These are very quick and reliable, ELISA tests are an example of these

Question 5

What can ELISA tests be used for

Answer 5

To see if a patient has any antibodies to a certain antigen(or any antigens to a certain antibody). For example, they can be used to test for infections by pathogens or for allergies

Question 6

What are the different types of ELISA tests

Answer 6

Direct ELISA and Indirect ELISA

Question 7

What do direct ELISA tests do

Answer 7

Use a single antibody that is complimentary to the antigen being tested for

Question 8

What do indirect ELISA tests do

Answer 8

Tests use two different antibodies (known as primary and secondary antibodies)

Question 9

How can an indirect ELISA test be used to test whether a patient has antibodies to HIV

Answer 9

HIV antigen is bound to the bottom of the reaction vessel. A blood plasma sample is added to the reaction vessel, antibodies specific to HIV attach to antigens (primary antibodies). Antibodies not specific to HIV are unbound and washed out. Secondary antibodies with enzymes attached are added to the vessel. Secondary antibodies bind to primary antibodies, reaction vessel is washed out again, removing unbound secondary antibodies. Finally, a substrate is added, which enzymes react with, forming a coloured product. Colour change = HIV positive.