Monoclonal antibodies Flashcards
What are monoclonal antibodies?
Monoclonal antibodies are identical copies of one type of antibody.
What are antibodies?
Antibodies are proteins by a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes.
What are antigens?
Antigens are a protein on the surface on pathogens.
What happens when a pathogen infects the body?
When a pathogen infects the body, the lymphocytes recognise these antigens as foreign these antigens as foreign and attack them by producing antibodies.
Can antibodies bind to any antigens?
No, they can only bind to specific ones.
What are myeloma cells?
Cancerous white blood cells.
What are hybridoma cells?
Spleen cells fused with myeloma cells.
What are the 5 steps of the formation of monoclonal antibodies?
- An antigen is injected into a mouse
- The mouse naturally produces lymphocytes, which produce antibodies specific to the antigen
- Spleen cells which produce the lymphocytes are removed during a small operation
- The spleen cells are fused with human cancerous white blood cells called myeloma cells to form hybridoma cells which divide indefinitely
- These hybridoma cells divide and produce millions of monoclonal antibodies specific to the original antigen
Are monoclonal antibodies used in pregnancy tests?
Yes.
What hormone is found in the urine of pregnant women that binds with monoclonal antibodies?
HCG.
How does a pregnancy test work?
Monoclonal antibodies are attached to the end of the pregnancy test stick. If she is pregnant, HCG will be present in her urine and will bind to the monoclonal antibodies on the test stick. This will cause a change in colour or pattern which will indicate pregnancy.
Do cancerous cells have antigens?
Yes.
What happens when monoclonal antibodies are injected into a person’s body? (Cancer)
The monoclonal antibodies will bind with these cancer cells and clump them together. This makes it easier to identify a cancerous tumour, which can then be treated or removed.
How have monoclonal antibodies also been used to treat cancer? (Two points)
- Carrying drugs that have been attached to them, to the tumour
- Encouraging your immune system to attack the cancer cells directly
Name 4 benefits of monoclonal antibodies
- testing for pregnancy by detecting HCG hormones in urine
- testing for diseases such herpes and chlamydia, and HIV which can lead to the development of AIDS
- to treat conditions like cancer by carrying drugs directly to the tumour cells, and helping the immune system attack them
- monoclonal antibodies can be produced quickly despite the fact that it can be time consuming when they are made for the first time
