Monoclonal antibodies

Question 1

Define ‘ Monoclonal antibody’

Answer 1

Antigen that can be isolated and cloned

Question 2

Define ‘ Antibody ‘

Answer 2

Protein
Bind to complementary antigen

Question 3

What are the uses of monoclonal antibodies ?

Answer 3

Pregnancy tests
Cancer/medical treatment
Diagnosis

Question 4

Describe how a patient is treated for cancer using ‘ Direct monoclonal antibody therapy’

Answer 4

1. Monoclonal antibody complementary to antigen on cancer cell
   2.Binds to antigen on cancer cell
2. Binded , therefore, no chemicals able to bind to antigen
3. Prevents uncontrolled cell division

Question 5

What is the advantage of direct monoclonal antibody therapy over other treatments

Answer 5

Doesn’t affect other cells

Question 6

Describe how a patient is treated for cancer using ‘ indirect monoclonal antibody therapy ‘

Answer 6

1. Antibody complementary to antigen on cancer
2. Antibody binded to antigen on cancer
3. Antibody has cancer drugs attached to itself
4. Drugs kill cancer directly

Question 7

What is the alternate name for ‘ indirect monoclonal antibody therapy ‘ ?

Answer 7

Bullet drugs

Question 8

What can monoclonal antibodies test for ?

Answer 8

Pregnancy
Chlamydia
Hepatitis
Prostate cancer
Influenza

Question 9

Describe and explain the steps in the ‘ ELISA’ test

Answer 9

1. First antibody is mobile and complementary to antigen tested for
   First antibody has blue dye attached
2. Second antibody is complementary to antigen tested for
   Second antibody is also immobile
3. Third antibody is complementary to the first mobile antibody
   Third antibody is also immobile

Question 10

Why does a positive result appear on an ELISA test

Answer 10

Mobile antibody binds to antigen
Second antibody binds to antigen
Mobile antibody and immobile antibody bind to eachother
With blue dye attached, shows positive result

Question 11

How does a negative result appear on an ELISA test

Answer 11

Mobile antibody binds to third antibody
Third antibody complementary to mobile antibody
One ring = Negative

Question 12

What is the third antibody in test complementary to

Answer 12

Mobile antibody

Question 13

What is the second antibody in test complementary to

Answer 13

The antigen being tested for

Question 14

Describe the steps for carrying out the other ELISA test

Answer 14

1. Add test sample( urine/blood ) of patient to beaker
2. Wash out to remove unbound test sample
3. Add first antibody complementary in shape to antigen tested for
4. Wash out to remove unbound antibody
5. Add second antibody, complementary to first
6. With an enzyme attached to it
   7.Add colourless substrate
7. If antigen present, enzyme on second antibody released, forming a blue solution

Question 15

Why is there colour formed ?

Answer 15

If antigen is present
Enzyme released
Catalyses substrate

Question 16

What does the colour intensity indicate

Answer 16

Quantity of antigen

Question 17

What ethical issues are there with monoclonal antibodies as a treatment

Answer 17

Involves animals
Killing mice/ removing spleen