Monoclonal antibodies

Question 1

what are monoclonal antibodies

Answer 1

monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that are made by identical immune cells, these identical immune cells are clones of the parent cell

Question 2

Define antibodies

Answer 2

Antibodies are Y shaped proteins made by lymphocytes

Question 3

explain the role of antibodies

Answer 3

Antibodies are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen

so are able to target a specific chemical or special cells in the body

Question 4

how are monoclonal antibodies produced

Answer 4

they are produced by stimulating mouse lymphocytes to make a particular antibody by exposing them to an antigen

Question 5

how does the particular antibody multiply

Answer 5

the antigen is injected into a mouse and the antibodies are combined with a tumour cell to make clones of the antibody

Question 6

Explain how lymphocytes are used during the production of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 6

the lymphocytes are combined with a particular type of tumor cell to make a hybridoma cell

Question 7

why are tumour cells used to create monoclonal antibodies

Answer 7

tumour cells can divide repeatedly

Question 8

what can the hybridoma cell do

Answer 8

the hybridoma cell can both divide and produce the antibody

Question 9

what happens to single hybridoma cells

Answer 9

single hybridoma cells are cloned resulting in many divisions,

making high quantities of identical cells that all produce the same antibody

Question 10

what happens to the large amount of antibody

Answer 10

a large amount of the antibody can be collected and purified ready for use

Question 11

steps to create monoclonal antibodies

Answer 11

Thelymphocytesare combined with a particular type oftumour cellto make ahybridoma cell

Thehybridomacell can both divide and produce the antibody

Single hybridoma cells are cloned, resulting in many divisions, making high quantities ofidentical cells that all produce thesame antibody

A large amount of the antibody can be collected and purified ready for use

Question 12

what can the cloned antibodies be for

Answer 12

the cloned antibodies that are produced can be to a specific protein on the cell or a particular chemical

Question 13

what are the uses of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 13

pregnancy test

diagnosis of disease

measuring and monitoring

research

Treating disease

Question 14

How does a pregnancy test work with Monoclonal antibodies

Answer 14

the monoclonal antibodies are specific to a hormone produced in pregancy called Human Chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

They will bind to the hormone if present and produce a colour change

Question 15

what are the four components of a pregnancy test

Answer 15

result window

sample pad

control window

reaction zone

Question 16

what happens at the result window of a pregnancy test

Answer 16

Non-mobile

HCG specific antibodies are found here

Question 17

what happens at the sample pad of a pregnancy test

Answer 17

this part is dipped in urine

Question 18

what happens at the reaction zone of a pregnancy test

Answer 18

HCG specific antibodies are here. they are mobile and contain a blue dye

Question 19

what happens at the control window

Answer 19

Non-mobile antibodies complementary to the reaction zone antibodies

Question 20

how are monoclonal antibodies used for diagnosis of disease

Answer 20

the monoclonal antibodies are specific to antigens found on the surface of pathogens, blood clot or cancer cells.

they also contain markers to help the doctors to find the location of them.

it is used in the test for prostate cancer

Question 21

how are monoclonal antibodies used for research #

Answer 21

Monoclonal antibodies with a fluorescent dye attached can be used by scientists to detect specific molecules in a cell or tissue

Question 22

describe three ways monoclonal antibodies can be used for treating disease

Answer 22

1. use of monoclonal antibodies to trigger immune cells to destroy them
   
   2. using monoclonal antibodies to block receptors, which stops them growing and dividing
   3. monoclonal antibodies can carry toxic drugs, or radioactive substances for radiotherapy, to the site of the tumour

Question 23

• advantages of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 23

they only bind to molecules on diseased or damaged cells

highly specific so can be produced to treat a range of conditions 

Hoped to be a cheaper procedure and a tried and tested method of treating conditions

Question 24

• disadvantages of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 24

it is an expensive process at the moment

has many side effects 

producing specific antibodies is proving to be more difficult than expected