Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 1

• genetically identical cells that produce a specfic type of antibody
• produced by a single clone of cells

Question 2

What are the monoclonal antibodies specific to?

Answer 2

• one binding site on one protein antigen
• targets and binds to specific chemical or cell

Question 3

How are monoclonial antibodies made?

Answer 3

1) inject mouse with specific antigens to stimulate mouse lympocytes to make correct antibody
2) lymphocytes are collected from mouse
3) lymphocytes are fused with tumour cells that divide rapidly to produce hybridoma cells
4) hybridoma that makes correct antibodies is selected and cloned
5) antigens are collected and purfied

Question 4

How do pregnancy tests work?

Answer 4

• contains 2 types of monoclonal antibody
• one fixes hormone to test area
• other is attached to dye that shows prescence of hormone

Question 5

How are monoclonal antibodies used for cancer treatment?

Answer 5

• monoclonal antibody bines to radioactive substance/ toxic drug/ chemical that stops cancer cells from growing/ dividing
• anitbodies target antigens that are found on cancer cells only
• drug delivered directly to cancer cells without harming other cells in body

Question 6

How are monoclonal antibodies used for measurement and detection?

Answer 6

• measures levels of hormones/ chemicals in blood
• antibodies attached to fluorescent dye
• dye binds to target chemicals
• greater concentration of substance, the stronger the fluorescence

also used to detect pathogens

Question 7

How are monoclonal antibodies used to locate molecules?

Answer 7

• antibodies bound to fluorescent dye
• identify specific molecules in cell/ tissue
• fluorescence only seen where molecule is present