Infection & Response: Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

Describe what happens to the test stick if the person using it is pregnant.

Answer 1

• HCG in urine bind to mobile mAbs attachted to a blue bead
• mAbs with HCG diffuse up the stick
• HCG binds to immobilised HCG antibodies in the results zone
• meaning the blue beads get stuck on the strip turning it blue
• antibodies which do not attach to HCG bind to antibodies in control zone
• blue line appears in both control and results zones to show positive result

Question 2

Describe what happens to the test stick if the person using it not is pregnant.

Answer 2

• urine diffuses up the stick carrying the blue beads and mAbs
• there’s nothing to stick the blue beads onto the test strip
• so it doesn’t go blue

Question 3

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 3

• antibodies that are clones from one parent cell
• specific to one type of antigen

Question 4

Describe how monoclonal antibodies are produced.

Answer 4

1. Specific antigen injected into animal (eg. mouse)
2. Lymphocytes are stimulated to produce antibody.
3. Lymphocytes are extracted
4. Fuse lymphocytes with tumour cell to form a hybridoma.
5. Hybridoma divides rapidly and produces the antibody.
6. Monoclonal antibodies collected and purified.

Question 5

Outline the uses of monoclonal antibodies.

Answer 5

• detection of pathogens
• locate blood clots
• cancer treatments
• used in pregnancy test kits

Question 6

What is the advantage of using monoclonal antibodies to test for pathogens?

Answer 6

• specific to one particular antigen
• very accurate
• quick results

Question 7

How can monoclonal antibodies be used to treat cancer?

Answer 7

• mAbs attached to an anti-cancer drug
• mAbs injected into patient’s blood stream
• mAbs only bind to tumour markers
• the drug kills the cancer cells but doesn’t kill any normal body cells near to tumour

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of using monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 8

They cause more side effects than originally expected.