Monoclonal antibodies

Question 1

How are monoclonal antibodies formed

Answer 1

1. Mice is injected with virus and stimulates production of lymphocytes that make specific antibodies
2. The lymphocytes are fused with the tumour cells to create hybridoma cells
3. Hybridoma cells can divide to make large identical copies which make an antibody
4. Antibodies are collected

Question 2

How are monoclonal antibodies used in the body

Answer 2

They are specific to single binding site on specific antigen so they can target specific cells

Question 3

What can monoclonal antibodies test for in the body

Answer 3

Measure levels of particular chemical or detect a pathogen

Question 4

How are monoclonal antibodies used in a pregnancy test

Answer 4

1. Urine is applied to end of the stick
2. Stick contains free moving HCG antibodies with dye attached
3. If HCG is present it binds to antibodies and traps them causing line to show
4. In the control zone immobile antibodies trap any incoming HCG antibodies to show another line

Question 5

What is the control zone for

Answer 5

To make sure it works
That’s why one line means it has worked but not pregnant

Question 6

How do bacteria multiply

Answer 6

Binary fission

Question 7

How often can bacteria multiply with good conditions

Answer 7

Every 20 minutes

Question 8

Where can bacteria be grown

Answer 8

Agar gel plate

Question 9

What technique is used for growing uncontaminated cultures of bacteria

Answer 9

Aseptic

Question 10

What should be done before culturing

Answer 10

Sterilise agar to ensure no contamination
Wipe surface to kill microorganisms
inoculating loop in ethanol and then through Bunsen flame

Question 11

Why should the both lids be open only slightly and not for long

Answer 11

To reduce chance of contamination of agar by microorganisms from the air

Question 12

Why should you not incubate higher than 25 degrees

Answer 12

Reduce growth of human pathogens
Body’s optimum temp is 37 degrees so bacteria harm humans